public health emergency
CMS Extends Medical Review Dates
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) may now begin conducting post-payment medical review for later dates of services. On March 30, 2020 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) suspended most Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) medical review because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 17, 2020 […]
Read MoreOIG Adds 2 Home Health Items to Work Plan
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has announced two new items of interest to NAHC home health members. One is an audit of home health telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and the second is a report on the challenges faced by home health agencies in responding to the PHE and the […]
Read MoreUpdate: Post Payment Medical Review Topics
As previously reported, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authorized the resumption of medical reviews to begin in August. Since the original resumption announcement, hospices and home health agencies have learned that medical reviews administered by the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) will be service-specific post payment reviews. NOTE: Targeted Probe & Educate (TPE) […]
Read MoreHospice Quality Reporting Program Quarterly Update
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the quarterly Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Update for the first quarter of 2020. This update reviews the HQRP reporting requirements and provides an update on the HOPE (Hospice Outcome and Patient Evaluation) instrument as well as links to HQRP information that was distributed during the […]
Read MoreCMS Revises the Advanced and Accelerated Payment Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it is reevaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program and suspending its Advance Payment Program to Part B suppliers effective immediately. An accelerated/advance payment is intended to provide necessary funds when there is a disruption in claims submission and/or […]
Read MoreWhat Has Changed for Home Health During the Public Health Emergency? NAHC has the Answers
On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule with comment (IFC) that provides relief from regulations governing health care provider operations in response to the COVID -19 pandemic. The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) conducted a national webcast presenting the regulatory waivers that had […]
Read MoreCMS Acts to Support Victims of Hurricane Dorian
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced efforts underway to support Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in response to Hurricane Dorian. On August 30, Health and Human Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency (PHE) in Florida. On September 2, Secretary Azar did the same for Georgia and South Carolina. CMS […]
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