CMS Proposes Home Health Prior Authorization

Just what home health needs is more paperwork.  On February 5, 2016 CMS proposed a home health prior authorization demonstration for five state.  The five state are Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas.  This could cause weeks of delay obtaining prior authorization before you can see a home health patient.  It will throw continuity of care out the window.  What will happen to patients after they have been discharged from a hospice, rehabilitation center or nursing home?  Will they have to wait 3 to 4 weeks before they can receive services?  This proposal appears to be unworkable on many levels. 

A link to the Federal Register is listed below.  Please read and review and contact your member of Congress, local hospitals, doctors, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes.  It will impact all of these providers and physicians.  Let’s work to stop this proposal.

Link

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-02-05/pdf/2016-02277.pdf

Hospice CAP Reports Due by March 31, 2016

All hospices are required to file their cap reports for the period of 11/1/2014 to 10/31/2015.  These reports are due no later than the end of March.  Please note the following related to submitting the self-determined hospice aggregate cap for the period ended October 31, 2015.  The due date for submitting the form is March 31, 2016.  Only send the signed form (supporting information is not needed).  Current instructions do not include sequestration as part of hospice payments subject to the cap, it appears that Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) (PalmettoGBA, CGS or NGS) will add sequestration payments to the hospice cap when they complete their Medicare CAP analysis in the fall.

Palmetto GBA will be mailing information to complete the Hospice CAP Form on February 29, 2016.  Hospice providers who have CGS or NGS as their MAC will have to obtain their own information from the PSR. 

Link to NGS Hospice CAP Instructions https://www.ngsmedicare.com/ngs/portal/ngsmedicare?urile=wcm:path%3A%2FNGSMedicareContentNEW%2FNGSMedicareNEW%2FNews-And-Alerts%2FNews-Articles%2FContent%2FHospice%2BCap%2B-%2BSelf-%2BReporting%2BInstructions&LOB=HHH&REGION=&clearcookie=&savecookie=

Link to CGS CAP Instructions   http://cgsmedicare.com/hhh/financial/hospice_caps.html

Please call us if you need help with your Hospice CAP Calculation.

SAVE THE DATES JANUARY 26 & 27, 2017

Dixon Healthcare Solutions, Inc is working on our next seminars in Vegas already for January 2017. By that time the USA will have a new President, so we have title the Seminar "New Directions". We will be back at Bally's on January 26 and 27, 2017 for both Home Health and Hospice. Those that attended liked the new two day format. The speaker include Richard Dixon, Robert Liles, Jnon Griffin, Heather Calhoun, Annette Lee and Donna Floyd. They will all speak at both seminars in 2017. 
More Information coming soon.............

"Face-to-Face - Is Your Home Health Agency at Risk of Audit and Claims Denials?" 2/2/2016

Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 12:00 CST 

Summary: Many home health agencies have expressed relief that, effective 01/01/15, CMS mostly eliminated the narrative component of the face-to-face (F2F) requirement. As most agencies across the country readily understand, the narrative rule was hopelessly vague and not interpreted or applied consistently by the Medicare contractors. Unfortunately, the latest version of the F2F regulation may not afford agencies the relief from improper claim denials that they have been hoping for. Join use as we discuss the F2F risks now facing your agency and ways that you can reduce those risks.

Speakers: Adam Bird, J.D., CMCO and Lorraine Ater, J.D., CMCO, CMRS 

Duration: This webinar is scheduled for 60 minutes with a Q & A session to follow. 

Presented by: Liles/Parker Attorneys & Counselors at LawSponsored by: Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice 

Cost: Registration is free for TAHC&H Members and free for Liles Parker clients. Mr. Liles has allowed Dixon Healthcare Solutions, Inc to invite our clients to also attend for free. By signing up for this webinar, you permit Liles Parker to share your registration information with TAHC&H. You will also be placed on Liles Parker's newsletter distribution list.

Questions? Please call Liles Parker with your questions, comments, and feedback at: 202-298-8750.

 

How to Register and Join the Webinar:

1. Please register in advance for the webinar by clicking the following link:

LINK

2. You will receive an email with a personalized link to access the webinar. Click this link at the specified date and time. 3. Choose one of the following audio options: TO USE YOUR COMPUTER'S AUDIO: When the webinar begins, you will be connected to audio using your computer's microphone and speakers (VoIP). A headset is recommended.

-OR- 

TO USE YOUR TELEPHONE: If you prefer to use your phone, you must select "Use Telephone" after joining the webinar and call in using the numbers below. United States: +1 (213) 929-4212 Access Code: 556-570-324 Audio PIN: Shown after joining the webinar Webinar ID: 130-243-051