Noteworthy

‘Homebound’ Demo to Launch in October

CMS will launch a two-year, three-state demonstration project Oct. 4 to clarify what defines a “homebound” patient under Medicare’s home health benefit, the agency announced. The MMA-mandated project will determine if a broader definition of “homebound” will result in higher costs for Medicare. It will be limited to no more than 15,000 beneficiaries with permanent, disabling conditions requiring daily living assistance and skilled nursing for the rest of their lives. CMS has not yet announced in which three states the project will take place.

Enteral Nutrition Reimbursements Excessive, OIG Says

A recent report from the HHS OIG found that Medicare reimbursements for enteral nutrition formulas are excessive. Medicare’s reimbursement for Category I formulas exceeded median contract prices available from a national wholesaler, a group purchasing organization and a supplier who negotiated directly with manufacturers by 70 to 115 percent, the report said. The OIG recommended that CMS consider using its inherent-reasonableness authority to reduce the Medicare reimbursement amount for Category I formulas — and CMS agreed with the recommendation, OIG said.

ACHC Achieves ISO 9001 Certification

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, the Raleigh, N.C.-based accreditation organization, has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification. ISO, the International Organization of Standardization, is comprised of national standards institutes with delegates from 148 countries.

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