Rural Add-on
A Look Ahead: Home Care and Hospice Advocacy in 2021
With the 2020 elections well in the rear-view and the seating of the new Congress and the inauguration of the 46th President fast approaching, our nation’s Capital is gearing up for what is increasingly looking like an active 2021. Traditionally, a new administration views the first 100 days of their taking office as the window […]
Read MoreNAHC Fights for Rural Home Care & Hospice at Senate Hearing
NAHC President William A. Dombi told the Senate Special Committee on Aging on Wednesday, February 12th, that while the “Medicare home health benefit is well managed,” it needs to be modernized to improve access to quality care in the home for all Americans, especially those living in rural areas. Committee chair Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) […]
Read MoreNAHC Submits Recommendations for Improved Care to Rural, Underserved to Congress
In mid-November, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) announced a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting input to inform the Rural and Underserved Communities Health Task Force as it works to develop bipartisan legislation to improve health care outcomes within underserved communities. The RFI includes 10 questions designed to elicit recommendations […]
Read MoreHome Health and Hospice Advocates Gather for March on Washington 2019
Home health and hospice leaders from Maine to Hawaii gathered in our nation’s capital for the annual March on Washington and a lively and informative discussion of the top policy issues facing the community today and the days ahead. Leaders from the Forum of State Associations heard presentations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid […]
Read MoreFight to Protect the Home Health Rural Add-On at the 2019 March on Washington!
There is no cost to attend the 2019 March on Washington, so register now! The 2019 March on Washington is less than a week away and we need you to join us for two days of education and advocacy on behalf of the millions of people across America who depend on home care and hospice and the […]
Read MoreVirtual Advocacy: If You Have a Computer, You Can Fight for Home Care & Hospice!
The Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), the rural add-on, and a Medicare Advantage carve-in – just three of the big issues facing home care and hospice right now during this time of almost unprecedented opportunities and challenges for our community. That is why the National Association of Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is so excited about […]
Read MoreCMS Issues Rural Add-On Instructions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued Change Request 10782 which provides instructions to the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) on the rural add-on for home health claims as required by Section 50208 of the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act (BiBA). Beginning January 1, 2019 payment increases will be applied to home health services […]
Read MoreCMS Issues Provider Enrollment Updates and Rural Add-on Tables
Deactivations The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued Change Request 10443 that updates Medicare Program Integrity Manual related to policies for Medicare provider deactivations. The changes align the reasons for deactivation more accurately with the regulations at §242.540 and include several small changes in chapter 15 of the manual under sections 15.27and15.29. […]
Read MoreCMS Instructs MACs on Three Percent Rural Add-On Adjustment
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued Change Request 10531, which provides instructions to the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to reprocess home health claims eligible for the three percent rural add-on pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. On February 9, 2018, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 which […]
Read MoreCMS Home Health, Hospice & DME Open Door Forum Notes (Feb. 28, 2018)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a Home Health, Hospice and DME Open Door Forum on February 28, 2018. A summary of the call is below. HOSPICE Electronic submission of the Notice of Election (NOE) – Several problems were identified with electronic submission of the NOE (for previous NAHC coverage click here), […]
Read MoreContinuing Resolution in Congress is a “Mixed Bag” for Home Health
Late last night, the House of Representatives released legislative language for another short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) that funds the federal government until March 23, 2018. Included in this CR is the Medicare Extenders Package, home health payment reforms, documentation reforms for the physician certification requirements, a Home Health Market basket Index (inflation) adjustment, and a […]
Read MorePredictions for Legislation and Regulation in 2018
The year 2018 projects to be an interesting one in the halls of the United States Congress. As the majority party in both chambers, Republicans will continue to work to carry our President Trumps agenda, including a broad infrastructure plan, immigration reform, and border security. Lawmakers will also work towards passing a budget resolution funding […]
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