WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 12, 2016)—Since becoming acting administrator, I have spoken frequently about to the importance of moving to the next chapter in implementing the Affordable Care Act. This new chapter goes beyond providing people with quality, affordable coverage—but making sure that we are delivering patient-centered care to all consumers at critical stages of their lives.
CMS
—Via AAHomecare WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 10, 2016)—Last week, CMS announced that medical necessity no longer has to be met for replacement of essential accessories for a beneficiary-owned CPAP device or RAD. CMS and CMS contractors will now assume that beneficiary-owned CPAP devices and RADs have met their medical necessity requirements through the 13-month continuous usage.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 8, 2016)—A new national poll of nearly 2,000 registered voters over age 65 sponsored by Bring the Vote Home (BTVH) found that a large majority of U.S. seniors oppose a Medicare policy requiring a government contractor to approve claims for physician-prescribed home health care services, which are often recommended by doctors for elderly patients following hospitalization to ensure a smooth transition from the acute setting to the home.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 3, 2016)—Medicare announced that the average basic premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in 2017 is projected to remain relatively stable at an estimated $34 per month. This represents an increase of approximately $1.50 over the actual average premium of $32.56 in 2016.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 2, 2016)—The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare—a coalition of home health providers dedicated to improving the integrity, quality, and efficiency of home health care for our nation's seniors—has expressed disappointment that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proceeding with the implementation of the pre-claim review demonstration applicable to all home health agencies in the state of Illinois on August 1.
NAHC: Pre-Claim Review Makes No Sense, Goes Too Far
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) recently submitted harsh comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) over the pre-claim pilot program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (Amy Baxter/Home Health Care News)
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (July 28, 2016)—ChartaCloud Technologies LLC today announced its agreement with OPERACARE Inc. to introduce and offer its CMS OASIS claims, pre-submission claims and proactive OASIS analytics software and services. OPERACARE will be offered via ChartaCloud’s ChartaCares health care services business.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 26, 2016)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has launched a new initiative to survey medical professionals and other individuals in the caregiving continuum to measure the impact of recent Medicare reimbursement cuts on seniors, as well as people with disabilities and chronic conditions.
Agencies Post Strong Quality Numbers But Patients Not Wowed
Home health agencies across the country continue to step up on quality of patient care, but that doesn’t mean that more patients are enthusiastic about their providers, judging by the latest round of Home Health Compare data. (Tim Mullaney/Home Health Care News)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 21, 2016)—CMS released a report showing that investments made in program integrity activities—which include stamping out fraud and deterring and reducing other improper payments—pay off for taxpayers and beneficiaries. From October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2014 (Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 and FY 2014), every dollar invested in CMS’s Medicare program integrity efforts saved $12.40 for the Medicare program.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 14, 2016)—Total health care spending growth is expected to average 5.8 percent annually over 2015–2025, according to a report published as a "Web First" by Health Affairs and authored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Office of the Actuary (OACT).
Providers can survive more reimbursement cuts on the horizon
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 7, 2016)—CMS proposed updated payment rates and policy changes in the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System. Several of the proposed policy changes would improve the quality of care Medicare patients receive by better supporting their physicians and other health care providers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 6, 2016)—CMS has published 2015 Open Payments data, along with newly submitted and updated payment records for the 2013 and 2014 reporting periods, at openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 6, 2016)—CMS finalized new rules that will enrich the Qualified Entity Program by expanding access to analyses and data that will help providers, employers and others make more informed decisions about care delivery and quality improvement.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 6, 2016)—The American Association for Homecare praised legislation to delay a new round of Medicare reimbursement cuts for rural and non-bid area home medical equipment providers that passed the House today. An amended version of the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2016 (H.R. 5210), passed through the House via voice vote Tuesday, includes the following provisions:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 6, 2016)—Results are in from the most recent HME Audit Key survey. The latest round of results including ADRs from October 1, 2015 thru March 31, 2016, show the following:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 6, 2016)—The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC)—a coalition of the nation’s home oxygen therapy providers and manufacturing companies—commended Congressman Tom Price (R-GA), David Loebsack (D-IA), Cathy McMorris-Rogers (R-WA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and their colleagues in the United States House of Representatives, for passing the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment (PADME) Act (H.R.
Physician Signature Worries Home Health Agencies in Pre-Claim Demo
With just more than one month before the start of CMS's Pre-Claim Review Demonstration for Home Health Services, agencies in the five-state pilot program are eagerly looking for clarification on compliance requirements. (Amy Baxter/Home Health Care News)
—via AAHomecare
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 30, 2016)—We’re just two days away from the second phase of bidding-derived cuts for rural and non-bid area suppliers. With the House currently out of session, there’s no chance of action before July 1.