This is a training I did in November for the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice. The Association has posted it, giving 1.75 hours of credit. … [Read more...] about Advanced Concepts in Risk Management: Advance Directives – What Providers Need to Know
Monitoring Home Health & Hospice Employees
I have had clients call me upset that documentation from employees reflected visits to patients that patients or their families say never happened. Technology continues to assist owners of these businesses to monitor and confirm visits and care. "As a real-time, GPS-enabled care management delivery solution, Visit Path verifies where and when a hospice or home health field nurse is on duty, begins service for a client, when they complete service and when they are off duty. This verification of … [Read more...] about Monitoring Home Health & Hospice Employees
Lack of Hospice Care in the Texas Big Bend?
An interesting article with an accompanying Radiocast was posted in early January on the Marfa Public Radio website about the dearth of Hospice services in the West Texas Big Bend region. Apparently, the one Hospice in the area closed in 1997 and elderly residents are having to come to Central Texas for Hospice care. It's well worth a listen and read. … [Read more...] about Lack of Hospice Care in the Texas Big Bend?
#MeToo and Health Care –Part 1
With the Gary Nassar investigation and trial, #MeToo drew attention to sexual harassment and abuse in the healthcare profession. This is the first in a series of posts discussing that issue and how to deal effectively with it. Such misconduct can be directed at other employees, patients, consumers or visitors. This first post will define what sexual harassment is in the employment context. Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to: Conduct of a sexual nature that … [Read more...] about #MeToo and Health Care –Part 1
CMS Introduction to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)
The Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP), mandated by the Affordable Care Act of 2010 directs the Secretary to establish quality reporting requirements for hospice programs. A new CMS webinar was scheduled to explain the basics of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) reported that the HQRP Requirements are as follows: Hospices are required to comply with requirements for two HQRP program components that … [Read more...] about CMS Introduction to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)
CMS authorizes increase of $340 million in Hospice payments for FY 2019
Many families and health care providers are debating whether the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which runs Medicare (CMS) and Congress are doing enough to implement processes to protect patients and their families from hospice providers who may be exploiting the service. Recently, CMS finalized a $340 Million/ 1.8 percent increase in Hospice payments for Medicare Hospice providers. According to reports, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at HHS synthesized 10 years of … [Read more...] about CMS authorizes increase of $340 million in Hospice payments for FY 2019
Fiscal Year 2018 Cutoff Dates for Fee-for-Service Year-end Closeout Processing
Information Letter 18-08 & No. 18-09 This letter announces several dates regarding Fiscal Year 2018 Claims Processing for claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). August 24, 2018 by noon is the cutoff date for Home and Community-based Services Providers and Texas Home Living Providers . For all other agencies, providers and facilities listed below, the cutoff dates are as follows: • Fiscal Year 2016 Miscellaneous Fee-for-Service (FFS) Claims Cutoff: … [Read more...] about Fiscal Year 2018 Cutoff Dates for Fee-for-Service Year-end Closeout Processing
HHS Releases Report on Hospice Care Fraud in US
A report released recently released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the US Department of Health titled: Vulnerabilities in the Medicare Hospice Program Affect Quality Care and Program Integrity has highlighted that hospice care fraud is a nationwide problem in the US. The report found that hospices do not always provide needed services to beneficiaries and sometimes provide poor quality care for Nursing home residents and other patients. When care is provided hospices’ inappropriate … [Read more...] about HHS Releases Report on Hospice Care Fraud in US
Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act goes to Senate For Approval, May Become Law
Palliative and hospice care can improve both the quality of care and quality of life for patients who are terminally ill and their families. Now the Senate has the decision to follow the U.S. House of Representatives, which has unanimously approved a bill that would help doctors and other healthcare professional elevate their skills in providing hospice and palliative care. The H.R.1676 - Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act would also increase palliative care research and … [Read more...] about Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act goes to Senate For Approval, May Become Law
New Hospice Care Law allows Physician Assistants to manage Hospice care for Medicare Patients
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2019, physician assistants can now supervise cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under the Medicare program as well as provide and manage Hospice care for terminally ill Medicare patients. The extended medical privileges for physicians assistants could benefit Medicare beneficiaries who live in medically underserved and rural communities, where a PA might be the only available medical professional to provide some services, according to news reports. According to … [Read more...] about New Hospice Care Law allows Physician Assistants to manage Hospice care for Medicare Patients
