CMS Post Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model – Frequently Asked Questions - 1/6/2016

CMS has recently posted the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model – Frequently Asked Questions.  The Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model began January 1^st and impacts the following states: Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee and Washington.  They have posted questions and answers for items in the following categories: EIDM Registration, Points of Contact, Implementation, OASIS Measures, New Measures, HHCAHPS Measures, Claims-Based Measures, Data Submission, Scoring, Reports and Miscellaneous.

We will be addressing the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model in a session titled “Win With Value-Based Purchasing Model” at our upcoming “Plug in to Win” Comprehensive 2 Day Home Health Seminar in Las Vegas on January 28^th to January 29^th.

Here is a link to the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model – Frequently Asked Questions.

https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Home-Health-Value-Based-Purchasing-Model/faq.html

“Reading the Tea Leaves – What Are the Top Ten Risks Your Home Health Agency and/or Hospice Will Face in 2016?” - 1/5/2016

One of our Speakers, Robert Liles for

"Plug in to Win"

is holding a Webinar and has given us permission to invite you to attend.  Information is below.

Liles Parker is partnering with the Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice and will be presenting a series of complimentary, monthly, compliance-related home health / hospice webinars in 2016 for TAHCH members and Liles Parker clients.  We would like for you to join us tomorrow from noon to 1:00 CST for the January presentation.  A description of the webinar and sign-up information is attached.  Hope to see you there!

"Reading the Tea Leaves"

Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 12:00 CST

 

Summary: Join us as we discuss the likely challenges and risks facing your home health agency or hospice in the upcoming year. What are the chances that your agency will be audited? What are the administrative enforcement remedies currently being pursued by Zone Program Integrity Contractors? How should your agency respond? This webinar will discuss ways your agency can reduce its level of risk.

 

Speakers: Robert Liles and Ish Laher

 

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

 

Presented by:

Liles Parker Attorneys & Counselors at Law

 

Sponsored by: Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice

 

Cost: Registration is free for TAHC&H Members and free for Liles Parker clients.

 

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 Join the Webinar:

 

1. Click the link to join the webinar at the specified time and date: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7296572838142410753

 

 

2. 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 (562) 247-8422 Access Code: 462-202-006 Audio PIN: Shown after joining the webinar Webinar ID: 118-383-875

MedPAC Vote In January On Draft to Congress Recommending Zero Payment Increase For Hospice in 2017 - 1/5/2016

Home health agencies have long been the whipping boy for the Medicare Payment and Advisory Commission.  They have consistently recommended reduced payments to home health agencies.  It appears that hospices may have joined the party.  Hospices are implementing payment reform beginning January 1, 2016.  Now MedPAC may recommend no payment increase to hospice payments for 2017.

We will keep you informed in future email alerts concerning the results of the vote.

We hope you will attend our Plug in to Win Seminar for Hospice or our Plug in to Win Seminar for Home Health on January 28^th – January 29^th in at Bally’s Las Vegas.  We have extended the second cut off rate for registration until January 5^th, 2016.  For more information please go to www.dixonhsi.com and click on the Las Vegas Hospice Seminar or the Las Vegas Home Health Seminar.

New OASIS-C2 January 2017 - 1/4/2016

Home health agencies cannot seem to catch a break.  First we move to ICD-10-CM on October 1, 2015, nine states have moved to value-based payments on January 1, 2016, now we have to implement a new OASIS form on January 1, 2017.  I guess we must keep our education budget high for the next year to learn to implement the new OASIS-C2.

Below is then link to the OASIS-C2

www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/HomeHealthQualityInits/OASIS-Data-Sets.html

We hope you will attend our Plug in to Win Seminar for Home Health or our Plug in to Win Seminar for Hospice on January 28^th – January 29^th in at Bally’s Las Vegas.  We have extended the second cut off rate for registration until January 5^th, 2016.  For more information please go to www.dixonhsi.com and click on the Las Vegas Home Health Seminar or the Las Vegas Hospice Seminar.

Palmetto GBA Home Health Face To Face Check List - 12/16/2015

We were quiet last week because Margaret and I took a long needed break by taking a 7 day cruise to Nassau, St Thomas and St Martin. It was a wonderful break, but now it is time to get back to work.  On December 9^th, Palmetto GBA issued a Home Health Face to Face Checklist.  We all know about the Probe Edits currently being conducted as we have discussed in our 11/16/2015 email update.  Using the Palmetto GBA Home Health Face To Face Checklist can help point out areas that need to be addressed in the Face To Face Documentation.

You can download the checklist here!

http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.Nsf/files/Home_Health_Face_to_Face_Checklist.pdf/$File/Home_Health_Face_to_Face_Checklist.pdf 

Palmetto GBA Hospice Medical Audit Form - 12/2/2015

Yesterday we sent an email regarding a Home Health Audit Form from Palmetto GBA.  I researched their website and found a similar tool for hospice.  They have suggested that Hospices utilize this form or check list when gathering information to respond to ADRs or other Medicare claims review.  We believe hospices could utilize some of the items in this form along with some additional items to develop a great monthly billing and clinical check list.  We are currently working on this project and intend to include it in our hospice seminar Plug in to Win that will be held in Las Vegas on January 28th – January 29th. You can download the Palmetto GBA Form Here! http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.Nsf/files/Hospice_Documentation_Audit_Tool.pdf/$File/Hospice_Documentation_Audit_Tool.pdf

Palmetto GBA New Home Health Medical Audit Form - 12/1/2015

On Monday November 23^rd Palmetto issued a new Home Health Medical Audit Form.  They have suggested that home health agencies utilize this form or check list when gathering information to respond to ADRs or other Medicare claims review.  We believe home health agencies could utilize some of the items in this form along with some additional items to develop a great end of episode billing check list.  We are currently working on this project and intend to include it in our home health seminar Plug in to Win that will be held in Las Vegas on January 28^th – January 29^th.

You can download the Palmetto GBA Form Here!

http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.Nsf/files/Home_Health_Medical_Record_Audit_Form.pdf/$File/Home_Health_Medical_Record_Audit_Form.pdf