October 30, 2014 - In This Issue: Using Medicare Payment Models
Transcription
October 30, 2014 - In This Issue: Using Medicare Payment Models
October 30, 2014 - In This Issue: VA To Pay Non-Contract Providers Using Medicare Payment Models Administration Announces New Executive Actions To Improve Quality Of Care For Medicare Beneficiaries CMS Announces 2015 Medicare Premiums & Deductibles Updated HIS Q + A Home Health & Hospice News About HMS With over 25 years of in-depth knowledge and experience in healthcare, HMS Healthcare Management Solutions, Inc. provides the best strategic, operational, and financial support services to the healthcare industry through customized business solutions. CDC Issues Stronger Safety Standards For Healthcare Workers Dealing With Ebola The CDC has issued more robust standards to better protect healthcare workers who come into contact with Ebola and other deadly infectious diseases. The previous recommendations, which were first issued in 2008 and last updated this VA To Pay Non-Contract Providers Using Medicare Payment Models According to NAHC, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has started issuing notices to inform home health providers of the VA's revised payment methodology for SNF services. Starting on October 1, 2014, the VA will require an Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) to be completed to generate a health insurance prospective payment system (HIPPS) code to reimburse non-contracted home health agencies for skilled home health services using the Medicare home health prospective payment system (HHPPS). The VA will continue to pay a per diem rate for non-contracted hospice providers. Click here to read more from NAHC. Administration Announces New Executive Actions To Improve Quality Of Care For Medicare Beneficiaries The Obama Administration announced new executive actions and the President signed into law legislation that will improve the quality of care for nursing home and home health patients. The President signed the Improving Medicare Post Acute Care Transformation Act past August, did not work in the case of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, where two nurses were infected while treating an infected patient. The updated protocols recommend workers to wear personal protective equipment that covers the entire body and leaves no skin exposed. Other recommendations include wearing two sets of gloves and wearing boot covers that are waterproof and go to at least mid-calf or cover the legs. of 2014 (IMPACT Act), bipartisan legislation that puts in place new and streamlined quality measures for nursing homes, home health agencies, and other post-acute care providers. The Administration took two additional steps to improve care for nursing homes and home health patients through new executive actions that will: Click here to read more. Click here for more information. Click here to see the updated CDC guidelines. The IMPACT Act also includes provisions that create greater oversight and increased transparency within the hospice community. The provisions that affect hospice providers include mandated surveys of Medicare certified hospice providers at least every three years for the next ten years minimum; medical reviews for hospice programs with soon to be determined percentage/number of patients receiving care for more than 180 days; and hospice aggregate financial cap that will be aligned with hospice reimbursement using a common inflationary index that will not change hospice reimbursement for providers. Click here for specific guidance and protocols for home health and hospice agencies in preparation for Ebola. Proposed Rule On Conditions Of Participation For Home Health Agencies CMS has issued a proposed rule to improve Medicare's Home Health Agency Conditions of Participation to ensure safe delivery of quality care to home health patients. The proposed rule reflects the most current home health agency practices by focusing on the care provided to patients and the impact of that care on patient outcomes. The proposed rule focuses on key changes in the home health industry, including promotion and protection of patient rights, enhancing the process for care delivery and coordination of services, streamlining regulatory requirements and building a foundation for ongoing, data-driven, agency-wide quality improvement. To see the full text of the rule, click here. Expand and strengthen Medicare's widely-used Five Star Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes, also known as Nursing Home Compare. Improve quality home health care received by Medicare beneficiaries through a proposed rule that strengthens patient rights, improves communication, and focuses on patient wellbeing. CMS Announces 2015 Medicare Premiums & Deductibles The Medicare Part A deductible for inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility and home healthcare services will increase by $44 in CY 2015 to $1,260. The monthly Part A will decrease by $19. Medicare part B monthly premiums and deductibles will remain as is. CMS announced the CY 2015 rates last week. Click here to see them. Daily Medicare coinsurance amounts will be $315 for days 61-90 of hospitalization in a benefit period, $630 for lifetime reserve days and $157.50 for days 21-100 of extended care services in a skilled nursing facility in a benefit period. The Part A premium will decline by $19 in CY 2015, to $407. The base Part B monthly premium and annual deductible for physician and hospital outpatient services, certain home healthcare services, durable medical equipment and other items will be unchanged for CY 2015 at $104.90 and $147. The base Part B premium is adjusted upward for higher income beneficiaries. Click here to read more. Updated HIS Q & A The new Q + A document is available on the Hospice Item Set portion of the HQRP webpage. The document contains frequently asked HIS-related questions received on the Help Desk JulySeptember 2014. Click here to access it. HMS Healthcare Management Solutions, Inc. 8 Research Parkway Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 269-4667 www.hmsabc.com STAY CONNECTED Forward this email This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected] | Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribeâ„¢ | Privacy Policy. HMS Healthcare Management Solutions, Inc. | 8 Research Parkway | Wallingford | CT | 06492