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New CMS Guidance for Medicare Reviewers
Author: Jennifer Gibson Osburn RN, HCS-D ICD-10-CM, COS-C, Senior Clinical Consultant
Date: August 11, 2015
Last month, CMS published a change request effecting change for Medical Review of Medicare-covered home health services.[1] The changes in how contracted home health medical record reviewers are instructed to assess claims, according to CR 9189, go into effect August 11, 2015. Many agencies are not familiar with this change request,... Keep Reading
House Calls are Coming Back
Author: Axxess
Date: July 28, 2015
A lot of elderly people in the US live on their own. According to the Census website, about 32% ofwomen and 13% of men 65 to 74 live alone. As well as 57% of women and 13% of men aged 85 or more. Many elderly prefer living this way instead... Keep Reading
CMS Begins Implementation of Key Payment Legislation
Author: Axxess
Date: July 21, 2015
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently proposed a rule, continuing its commitment to transform the Medicare program to a system based on quality and healthy outcomes. The proposed rule includes updates to payment policies, adjustments to physician payments, updates to the Physician Quality Reporting System, and updates... Keep Reading
Home Health Star Rating: How Do You Rate?
Author: Andrew Awoniyi, ND, RN-BC
Date: July 17, 2015
Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the release of Star Ratings for all Medicare-certified home healthcare agencies, as part of its ongoing rollout of Star Rating systems across healthcare settings on Compare websites on Medicare.gov. CMS has created the Home Health Compare website to share information... Keep Reading
Agencies to Face Reimbursement Changes in 2016
Author: Ann Horton, Executive Director, Maryland - National Capital Homecare Association
Date: July 17, 2015
Summary of the CY 2016 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update and the National Response... Background The home healthcare world was rocked yet again on July 6, 2015 with the announcement of the 2016 Proposed Rule, “CY 2016 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update; Home Health Value Based Purchasing Model;... Keep Reading
Five Facts about Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for Home Health Agencies
Author: Axxess
Date: July 16, 2015
Just as nutrition and exercise are vital to an individual’s health, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is necessary for the business wellbeing of a home healthcare organization. An EVV system electronically verifies the date, time and location of the patient visit. Using an Electronic Visit Verification system creates a culture of... Keep Reading
Detroit Area Doctor Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison
Author: Axxess
Date: July 14, 2015
Last week, The United States Department of Justice (DOJ)  announced the sentencing of a doctor for his role in one of the most horrific healthcare fraudulent schemes in history. It involved 553 patients and $34 million from fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary treatments, kickbacks and money laundering. Click here to... Keep Reading
What Does Value-Based Care Mean for Home Care Clinicians?
Author: Carolyn Humphrey, MS, RN, FAAN
Date: July 9, 2015
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010, there have been many changes to the healthcare industry. As the Act continues to rollout, healthcare providers are considering how it will affect the care they give, their reimbursements and how their clinicians will practice. One major change... Keep Reading
NewsDay Tuesday: CMS’s Top 5 Steps for Readiness
Author: Axxess
Date: July 6, 2015
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides five steps to readiness for the impending ICD-10 transitioln. From planning to codes to forms to vendors and testing -- healthcare providers need to be ready to file claims with the new ICD-10 code set on October 1.  Click here to... Keep Reading
Six Benefits of Using an Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Mobile App
Author: Axxess
Date: July 6, 2015
The healthcare industry is currently on the cusp of a technology evolution. New advances in patient care, such as remote health monitoring with wearable and implantable devices and interoperable electronic medical records to improve patient health coordination, are elevating the level of medical care in the U.S. Operationally, automated electronic... Keep Reading
The Opportunity for Home Care Lies in Tech Trends
Author: Sam Smith
Date: July 1, 2015
The home healthcare industry is changing rapidly. From the increase in demand for services to a growing population of those with chronic diseases, to regulations such as the transition to ICD-10 -- technology is alleviating many challenges healthcare agencies are facing now. Click here to read the original article authored by... Keep Reading
Verifying Visits at the Point of Care
Author: Jennifer Gibson Osburn RN, HCS-D ICD-10-CM, COS-C, Senior Clinical Consultant
Date: July 1, 2015
The benefits of using mobile technology in home health care are numerous.  Among the list of benefits for a home health agency is accountability through Electronic Visit Verification (EVV). Why EVV Matters Accountability is currently a hot button issue in health care, where many advocacy groups, agencies and health care providers are... Keep Reading
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