Uncategorized
FDA Gives Seal of Approval to Liquid FluMist
In what may prove to be a major step toward the promotion of nasal mist forms of influenza vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FluMist (Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal) to be converted from its frozen formulation to a liquid. This approval eliminates a roadblock experienced by those health care providers faced […]
Read MoreRefresher: Plan of Care Requirements for Medicare Billing
Regulations and policies related to plan of care requirements are often a confusing issue for home health agencies, specifically the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) rules on physician signatures on verbal orders, and how to make changes to a plan of care. NAHC Report is providing the following brief overview of these regulations […]
Read MoreHHS Accelerates Efforts to Produce Effective Avian Flu Vaccine
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has increased preparation efforts for a possible outbreak of H5N1 influenza by awarding millions of dollars in contracts for the production of vaccines using an adjuvant, which is an immune system booster. These vaccines would increase the immune system’s ability to fight off viruses. “In the event […]
Read MoreCongressional Activity Update: A Look at What What’s Going on Means
With the official commencement of the first session of the 110th Congress recently and swearing-in of its members, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as the first female Speaker of the House, the 100th has begun getting down to business under the new Democratic majority. Out of 435 representatives who took the oath of office, 233 […]
Read MoreHome Health National Quality Campaign Off to a Successful Start: Over 3,000 Agencies Registered
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Home Health National Quality Campaign has hit the ground running, with over 3,000 home health agencies registered in the first week. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice congratulates agencies for this commitment to the highest quality of care! The goal of the campaign, which commenced […]
Read MoreP4P: Has MedPAC Taken a Step Backward?
Wednesday morning, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) received a status report from staff regarding its analysis and recommendations relating to a pay-for-performance (P4P) reimbursement model for home health services. Under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, MedPAC is charged with the responsibility of submitting a report to Congress on its recommendations for P4P-type home […]
Read MoreMedPAC Votes Unanimously to Recommend Freeze in Home Health Pay Rates for 2008
As expected, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) on January 9 voted to recommend that Congress eliminate any market basket index inflation update to the home health benefit in 2008. This marks the fifth consecutive year that MedPAC has made such a recommendation (NAHC Report 12/8/06); Congress has rejected it each year but 2006. Prior […]
Read MoreMedicaid Commission’s Final Report Not Critique-Free
The 30-member (15 voting, 15 non-voting), federally-chartered Medicaid Commission, led by former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist (R) and former Maine Gov. Angus S. King, Jr. (I), has concluded its work — but not without a few parting shots from dissatisfied commissioners. The commission was created by Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike […]
Read MoreNAHC Praises CMS for Testing Home Health P4P Reimbursement before Implementation, Suggests Ways to Improve Demo
Along with a number of home health providers, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice recently submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) upcoming demonstration project to test pay-for-performance (P4P) reimbursement in home health. NAHC commended CMS’s draft design of the project (NAHC Report 12/15/06), noting that it reflects “many […]
Read MoreWhere in the World is the New Medicare Home Health PPS Proposal?
For a number of months, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice and others across the country have been saying that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to publish a proposed rule making changes to the home health prospective payment system (PPS) in January or early February 2007. In fact, […]
Read MoreGet up to Speed on HHS’s, Administration’s Strategy for Sustaining, Improving U.S. Health Care System
Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt has designated the Puget Sound Health Alliance in Seattle the first “Community Leader for Value-Driven Health Care.” Leavitt recognized the organization for working to improve the quality of health care while also reducing cost inflation. As part of this distinction, the Alliance will support HHS’s […]
Read MoreLetters to the Editor Praise Successful Effort to Prevent Home Health and Hospice Cuts
Recently, the Executive Director and Board Chair of the Home Care Alliance of Maine each got letters to the editor printed in their local newspapers, the Bangor Daily News and Portland Press Herald, respectively. The letters thank Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) for her courageous fight to prevent cuts to the Medicare home health and hospice […]
Read More