WASHINGTON, D.C., March 6, 2013—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed AAHomecare that Phase 2 of the Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) will go into effect May 1, 2013. As of that date CMS will deny home medical equipment (HME), Part B, and Part A home health agency claims that are prescribed by health care professionals who are not enrolled in the PECOS system.
AffloVest
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 14, 2013—Round 2 price cuts won’t go into effect until July 1, 2013, but they are already having ruinous effects on home care providers and patients throughout the country. “We’ve heard from scores of providers about the detrimental impact Round 2 prices will have on their patients and businesses,” according to AAHomecare’s Rachel Prager.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 15, 2013—It has been said that the anticipation of an event or action is worse than the actual event. When I was a kid I was terrified the first time I rode the “Scream Machine” at the Six Flags amusement park. It was a giant roller coaster, 173 feet tall, and in its heyday it was the fastest looping roller coaster in the world, reaching speeds up to 68 mph. I had knots in my stomach as I waited my turn to ride.
BALTIMORE, Md., Jan. 30, 2013—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced new, lower Medicare prices that will go into effect this July in a major expansion of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. The CMS Office of the Actuary estimates that the program will save the Medicare Part B Trust Fund $25.7 billion and beneficiaries $17.1 billion between 2013 and 2022.
BALTIMORE, Md., Jan. 30, 2013—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced new, lower Medicare prices that will go into effect this July in a major expansion of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. The CMS Office of the Actuary estimates that the program will save the Medicare Part B Trust Fund $25.7 billion and beneficiaries $17.1 billion between 2013 and 2022.
HALIFAX, Va., Jan. 25, 2013—As reported by the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES)—and courtesy of VGM—although CMS has not yet announced the Round 2 bid rates, it has begun its educational outreach for DME providers, beneficiaries and referral sources. Announced late last week, CMS will begin its first series of educational programs that are geared for referral sources.
WATERLOO, Iowa, Jan, 16, 2013—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced 106 new Medicare Accountable Care Organizations on Jan. 10, bringing the total number to more than 250 under Medicare and more than 500 overall, including private insurers.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 10, 2013—The new National Health Expenditures data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shows that durable medical equipment has continued to shrink as a proportion of total Medicare spending, according to the American Association for Homecare.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 13, 2012—AAHomecare recently asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for relief from Recovery Audit Contractors for recoupments on submitted claims when the anniversary billing date overlaps with a Medicare Part A stay (i.e., skilled nursing facility or hospital stay).
BALTIMORE, Md., Dec. 13, 2012—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will share the latest information on the data elements and PIM changes for the power mobility device electronic clinical template Dec. 19 from 4-5 p.m. ET. To take part:
DALLAS, Nov. 15, 2012—According to Edward L. Vishnevetsky of Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.—who wrote on the subject in his “Case Studies” column in the Aug. issue of HomeCare magazine, later sharing it with several lawmakers—Daniel R. Levinson, inspector general in the Department of Health and Human Services has issued the report “Improvements Are Needed at the Administrative Law Judge Level of Medicare Appeals (OEI-02-10-00340).
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Nov. 8, 2012—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently initiated a number of audit programs in its attempt to diminish payment errors and fraud. Responding to pre- and post-payment RAC, CERT and ZPIC audits can take a toll on a provider’s businesses both in time and monetary resources. The negative effects to DME providers in wasted employee effort and interruption to cash flow can be profound.
New York, Nov. 8, 2012—Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers affected by Hurricane Sandy are being granted additional time beyond the December 7, 2012 deadline to make a health and prescription drug plan selection. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is granting this extension of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period in order to give beneficiaries and their families adequate time and presence of mind to fully weigh the scope of their health care needs.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 7, 2012—Due to the effects of the superstorm that has crippled many areas in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will issue guidance to its contractors to temporarily suspend all audit activity for a period of at least 30 days. The CMS directive is effective immediately.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 26, 2012—Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) announces continued approval of its hospice accreditation program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a six-year term. This deeming authority recognizes CHAP’s program as a national accreditation program for hospice organizations seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
BALTIMORE, Md., Sept. 7, 2012—One potentially significant element of the Medicare ecosystem is the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN), a tool for informing beneficiaries about anticipated future services that the program may not cover. ABNs can be significant for innovators because they help sketch the limits of patient financial responsibility for new types of health care services.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 21, 2012—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces that registration is now open to all suppliers interested in participating in the Round 1 Recompete of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 21, 2012—According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) was established to provide independent guidance and expert advice to CMS on specific clinical topics. The MEDCAC is used to supplement CMS’ internal expertise and to allow an unbiased and current deliberation of state of the art technology and science.
AAHomecare has voiced strong concerns to CMS regarding a recent DME MAC policy change for refills of “non-consumable” DME supplies. In a letter to the Agency on Monday AAHomecare called on CMS to direct the DME MACs to rescind the policy, characterizing it as “arbitrary, vague and unworkable.”
WATERLOO, Iowa, Aug. 13, 2012—A study released last Monday reveals that calling the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) results in at least a five-minute wait before a human voice is heard. Independent accounting firm Hogan-Hansen PC conducted the study for Last Chance for Patient Choice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending competitive bidding for home medical equipment, and the American Association for Homecare.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed a state-specific provider compliance group interactive map. The U.S. Resource Map allows you to access state-specific information such as: