The HHVBP Newsletter provides home health agencies (HHAs) with the latest information about the expanded HHVBP Model as well as important tools, news, and timely insights from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the HHVBP Model Technical Assistance (TA) Team. Please consider sharing this newsletter within your organization. Information in this edition...Read More

Swingtech sends informational messages to hospices related to the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) on a quarterly basis. Their latest outreach communication can be found on the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices webpage. If you want to receive Swingtech’s quarterly emails, then add or update the email addresses to which these messages are sent by sending an...Read More

CMS has released the Hospice Quality Reported Program 2021 Information Gathering Reporting. This report provides information from literature reviews and expert interviews that supports expansion of the hospice quality reporting program. Specific topics include treatment of moderate to severe pain, patient preferences, spiritual care, social needs, medication management, and other topics related to hospice quality....Read More

During this critical time, Home Health Care News remains committed to bringing you all the essential news related to home-based care operations. At the same time, we also recognize the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to our regular content, we’ll continue to highlight industry-related developments and mitigation strategies in this rolling bulletin. What...Read More

By Joyce Famakinwa | February 13, 2020 In an effort to address the growing demand for home care services and worsening labor crunch, one U.S. lawmaker has introduced a bill that could help providers raise wages for their caregivers. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced S. 3277 — the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Infrastructure Improvement Act — into...Read More

The home health industry is just a few short months away from the biggest reimbursement overhaul it’s seen in nearly two decades: Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM). As the new model’s Jan. 1, 2020 implementation nears, providers nationwide are preparing to navigate its complex changes. That’s especially true when it comes to therapy utilization, which will...Read More

Earlier this year, Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) made waves when it rolled out new software that makes its Alexa device HIPAA-compliant.  The new skills kit allows select patients and health care organizations to securely transmit sensitive medical information — often from the comfort of one’s own home. While the implications of the skills have the home-based care...Read More

By Kaitlyn Mattson | October 7, 2018 The home health industry has won another victory in Washington, D.C., in its battle against certain parts of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) and shift toward a more pre-acute care identity. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) introduced the Home Health Payment Innovation...Read More

To combat improper billing, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2016 rolled out the controversial pre-claim review demonstration in Illinois, an initiative that required home health providers to send in their claims earlier in the care process. With the help of Congress, however, stakeholders were able to seemingly stop pre-claim review dead...Read More

Failing to supply medical records in response to additional documentation requests (ADRs) was Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Palmetto GBA’s most common reason for denial of home health claims between April and June 2018, Palmetto data show. Face-to-face encounter requirements not met took the No. 2 slot. Denial code 56900 (Auto denial — requested records not...Read More