LENEXA, Kan. (March 7, 2017)—Mediware Information Systems, Inc. is hosting a free webinar for attendees on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 1:00 Central, 2:00 EST, to learn the latest DME requirements regarding copayments from Medicare beneficiaries and commercial patients. The webinar is entitled “Waiver or Reduction of Medicare and Commercial Co-Payments: What DME Providers Can and Can’t Do,” presented by Jeffrey S. Baird, of Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
Medicare
Billing errors can result in audits and repayment of claims by the provider to Medicare
The updated study reveals that spending on DME saves Medicare money.
WATERLOO, Iowa (February 22, 2017)—Leitten Consulting released its latest findings on the economic impact Medicare spending has on health care as it relates to durable medical equipment.
Leitten’s study, “The Case for Medicare Investment in Durable Medical Equipment,” shows that the health care system and beneficiaries save on long-term costs if the government invests in durable medical equipment services up front.
ROSWELL, Ga. (February 21, 2017)—The Pedors shoes B2B ordering website is now fully mobile responsive. The site re-design enables footcare professionals to easily order product using a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop device to place orders at any time.
The group works to keep low-income seniors at home.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (February 14, 2017)—Senior Whole Health (SWH), which helps keep low-income seniors living independently at home by providing comprehensive health care and support services, enrolled its 20,000th member in February.
The paper will help frame discussions with state Medicaid directors around CURES Act regulations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 9, 2017)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) today released a briefing paper designed to assist home medical equipment leaders nationwide in their efforts to engage state Medicaid directors on future Medicaid rate-setting deliberations involving home medical equipment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 18, 2017)—CMS published guidance to the states on Friday, January 13, in an effort to give strategies to the state to ensure access to DMEPOS is available. This was issued due to comments from 2016 on CMS 1651-P and 2011 comments submitted in response to Federal Register Request for Comment on alignment under Medicaid and Medicare. While CMS cannot enforce these suggestions, we believe that they would benefit both states and providers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 17, 2017)—Data is the lifeblood of the value-based payment environment. Every time a doctor takes care of a patient, we have an opportunity to use information in ways that help patients get better care. The goal is to use the information from each patient encounter to make the next encounter better—across the entire health care system. But it is easier said than done.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 9, 2017)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today finalized rules governing home health agencies that will improve the quality of health care services for Medicare and Medicaid patients and strengthen patients’ rights. These Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation are the minimum health and safety standards a home health agency must meet in order to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. & DARTMOUTH, Mass. (January 4, 2017)—Care Resource, an East Providence-based home health agency, homecare and medical supply company serving Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, announces it has once again earned full accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) through 2019 for both the East Providence, Rhode Island, and Dartmouth, Massachusetts locations.
External factors will fundamentally alter the post-acute care sector
Update: On Wedneday, November 30, 2016, the House passed the measure with sweeping bipartisan support.
WASHINGTON (November 15, 2016)—Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2017 premiums for the Medicare inpatient hospital (Part A) and physician and outpatient hospital services (Part B) programs.
Medicare Part B Premiums/Deductibles
Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment and other items.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 31, 2016)—CMS issued a final rule last week, covering end-stage renal care and changes to the DME competitive bidding program. Provisions of interest to the home medical equipment community include:
Bid Ceilings—Bid ceilings for future rounds will be based on the 2015 fee unadjusted fee schedule, instead of CMS's earlier proposal to establish bid ceilings at the current CBA pricing.
NAHC to File Lawsuit to Stop Pre-Claim
A national association is striking back against the “failed” Pre-Claim Review Demonstration (PCRD) with a plan to file a lawsuit against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (Amy Baxter/Home Health Care News)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 27, 2016)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the inclusion of Veterans Administration (VA) hospital performance data. The VA hospital performance data can be found via a link on Hospital Compare, here.
LENEXA, Kan. (October 27, 2016)—Mediware Information Systems, Inc. is hosting a free webinar for attendees on Thursday, December 1, 2016, at 1:00 Central, 2:00 EST, to discuss how providers can expand their business outside of Medicare. The webinar is entitled “Responding to Medicare Cuts: Details About Billing Non-Assigned, ABNs, and Retail,” presented by Jeffrey S. Baird, of Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
LOS ANGELES (October 25, 2016)—In a new research study being presented tomorrow at the CHEST 2016 annual meeting, ResMed will share evidence that people who use a self-management app when treating their sleep apnea with positive airway pressure (PAP) are significantly more likely to stick with their therapy.
ARLINGTON, Va. (October 20, 2016)—The final report from the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI)’s Future of Home Health Project was published online this month in the peer-reviewed journal Home Health Care Management and Practice.
WASHINGTON, D.C (October 19, 2016)—A study released today by the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) shows that Medicare reimbursement rates for home medical equipment cover just 88 percent of overall costs for companies providing this service.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 18, 2016)—Dan Starck, chair of CQRC, responds to the GAO Access Report on Competitive Bidding:
"While the CQRC has supported competitive bidding in concept, we remain deeply concerned about the implementation of the competitive bidding program. Today's report shows that fewer beneficiaries are receiving home oxygen therapy in light of competitive bidding."
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (October 17, 2016)—Almost Family, Inc.—a leading provider of home health nursing services—today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling interest in the entity holding the home health and hospice assets of Community Health Systems, Inc. (referred to herein as CHS Home Health, pertaining solely to the home health and hospice business of CHS).