Category: Hospice

CMS announces relief for clinicians, providers, hospitals and facilities participating in Quality Reporting Programs in response to COVID-19

By Tami Swartz Mar 23, 2020 Home Health

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is supporting clinicians on the front lines by getting red tape out of the way so the healthcare delivery system can focus on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) response. CMS is implementing additional extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy exceptions and extensions for upcoming quality measure reporting and […]

Employers brace for paid leave brought on by coronavirus

By Tammy Binford Mar 17, 2020 Assisted Living

Just as employers were taking a look at a bill in Congress aimed at providing paid leave for employees affected by the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, the House-passed legislation took on changes in the Senate. As of early March 17, no Senate vote had been scheduled. Worries from business interests have resulted in a scaling back of […]

Hospice concerns addressed through revised legislation

By Megan Herr Mar 9, 2020 Hospice

Concerns regarding compliance with quality and safety standards under the Hospice Conditions of Participation were addressed through legislation recently introduced by two members of the House Ways & Means Committee, Rep. Jimmy Panetta and Rep. Tom Reed. The legislation entitled, “Helping Our Senior Population in Comfort Environments Act (HOSPICE Act),” was scheduled to be marked […]

CMS announces webinar on Hospice Item Set submission requirements

By Kirsten Dize Feb 24, 2020 Home Health

CMS announced a new webinar designed to provide an overview of the Hospice Item Set (HIS) and submission requirements. The webinar is scheduled to take place 2-3 p.m. EST on March 3, 2020. The webinar will cover a general overview of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program, CAHPS submission and exemptions, basic instructions for completing the […]

Hospice quality reporting requirements updated for FY2021

By Megan Pielmeier Jan 17, 2020 Home Health

CMS has released requirements documents for fiscal year 2021. The requirements have been updated to reflect changes in the FY2020 final rule. Updates have been made to the following: Getting Started with the Hospice Quality Reporting Program Hospice Quality Reporting Program: Requirements for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and Future FY Reporting Years Hospice Quality Reporting […]

GAO report: Give CMS more power to enforce hospice safety requirements

By Kirsten Dize Dec 9, 2019 Home Health

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends giving CMS the authority to “enforce remedies” for hospices that fail to meet federal health and safety requirements, according to a November report. The study found that in 2017, 472 hospice providers discharged at least 50% of beneficiaries before death. And 83 providers didn’t have hospice staff visit beneficiaries within the […]

CMS adds some Physician Assistants to allowed drug order sources for hospices

By DecisionHealth Staff Nov 18, 2019 Hospice

Hospices will now be permitted to accept medication orders from some physician assistants, according to the CY2020 Physician Fee Schedule final rule filed on Nov. 1. Prior to this, hospices were only allowed to accept prescription orders from physicians and nurse practitioners According to the rule, in order for the hospice to be able to […]

CMS to hold home health, hospice open door forum

By Kirsten Dize Nov 6, 2019 Home Health

CMS will hold its next home health, hospice and durable medical equipment open door forum at 2 p.m. EST on Nov. 6. Topics will include the home health payment rule and the review choice demonstration as well as a home health billing update related to the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM). View the agenda at https://go.cms.gov/1TlLRb4.

House passes hospice education and training act

By Megan Pielmeier Nov 6, 2019 Home Health

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) on Oct. 28. The bill has since been received by the Senate and referred to the committee on health, education, labor and pensions. Designed to promote education and research in palliative care and hospice, the bill would create fellowships […]

Hospice period dates not calculating correctly through Common Working File

By Megan Pielmeier Oct 7, 2019 Home Health

Some hospice period dates have not been calculating correctly through the Common Working File (CWF), according to Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Palmetto GBA. Period three and later should be no more than 60 days from the start through termination dates. Palmetto found that third or later periods have more than 60 days calculated in the […]