Guest article courtesy of Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.

The update includes ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes effective from October 1, 2023

Proposed rule could impact millions of workers and employees

The system provides essential patient data through various applications in times of emergency declaration

Important updates for Medicaid providers and encounters processing

The Biden administration issues waivers for health care providers, special enrollment opportunities for hurricane victims, and more

Small businesses are eligible to secure short-term, interest-free loans of up to $50,000

Medicaid provider issues and the upcoming 2024 Florida legislative session were among the discussion topics

AHCA to hold a rule development workshop on September 7 at 2 PM ET

Take the pre-knowledge check, register, and submit your questions today

21-day comment period ends on September 5 ahead of a final rule hearing on September 14

Vital legislation introduced on August 4 in the U.S. House of Representatives

PEPPER is an educational tool that summarizes provider-specific data statistics for Medicare services that may be at risk for improper payments

Get the latest home care industry news from around the country

The purpose of these webinars is to provide assistance to Medicare home health providers who are new to the Review Choice Demonstration

Under new law, private employers with 25 or more employees must utilize the federal E-Verify system for all new hires, effective July 1, 2023

About 140 children in the Medicaid program are in three nursing homes in Broward and Pinellas counties, according to the ruling

HCAF was an original plaintiff in the nearly year-long dispute

This program is designed to honor home health agencies that go above and beyond in delivering exceptional care and services to their patients/clients

HCAF expressed concern about the proposal to allocate at least 80% of Medicaid payments for personal care services, homemaker services, and home health aide services to direct care workforce compensation

The draft of the proposed payment rule is expected to be officially published on July 10

The deadline, initially June 30, is now December 31, 2023

Completing the survey is mandatory for home health agencies during each biennial renewal, and failure to submit it will lead to licensure denial

New federal legislation would prevent CMS from implementing the -7.85% reduction in 2024

Get the latest home care industry news from around the country

53% of Medicare-certified home health agencies retrieved the report as of the fourth quarter of 2021

CMS to hold live-stream webinar on the July 2023 Interim Performance Report next month

Health care providers among the sectors targeted in ransomware attacks

Access resources to submit your comments by July 3, 2023

Medicaid managed care plans are in the process of distributing

ACTs are intended to open the communication channels between Medicare home health providers and Palmetto GBA

CMS welcomes public comments on the NPRMs until July 3, 2023

Final rule also enhances focus on quality measures for Medicare providers

There is an expectation that the season will be less active than in previous years, however, competing factors have added greater uncertainty to the seasonal forecast

Join home care advocates on Capitol Hill on September 19-20, 2023!

For this refresh, Home Health (HH) Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) will be based on the standard number of quarters

Medicaid HCBS providers face June 30, 2023, spending deadline

The finalized rules allow a registered nurse to delegate additional tasks to certified nursing assistants and home health aides

Get the latest before the Public Health Emergency expires on May 11, 2023!

Posters with updated Fair Labor Standards Act and Family and Medical Leave Act information become effective on May 2, 2023

Provisions most important for home health providers relate to acceptable coverage criteria, prior authorization, utilization management, behavioral health, marketing, and health equity

CMS proposes to require that at least 80% of all Medicaid payments be spent on compensation to direct care workers

For this refresh, the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) will be based on the standard number of quarters

A variety of data elements from over 11,000 home health agencies are now publicly available

Mandatory use of the new form begins on June 30, 2023

Agenda topics include updates on the Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model, QAO Performance Reports, and more

3.95% reduction in Medicare home health payments for 2023 prompted Congress to mandate the webinar

Program designates awards to well-performing home health agencies based on survey performance and other criteria

Stakeholder feedback is welcome on regulations allowing direct care workers to perform additional tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse

COVID-19 public health emergency scheduled to end on May 11, 2023

Florida Community Care EVV services to transition to HHAeXchange effective April 3, 2023

Home Health Prospective Payment System Grouper Software April 2023 update released, PDGM claim edit enhancements revised

Register now for the March 22 webinar

The webinar will provide an overview of behavior changes, the construction of 60-day episodes, and payment rate development

Tools, news, and timely insights for Medicare home health agencies

Several topics are clarified in the fact sheet, including vaccines, testing, and treatments, telehealth services, and access to health care

Applications are due May 31, 2023

Home care advocates unite to share real-world stories about how home care has benefited your patients/clients

Ask Congress to enhance investments in Medicaid home care services with just a few clicks of your mouse!

7 members of Florida's 29-member delegation selected to serve on key committees

Agenda topics include the 2023 payment rule, updates on value-based purchasing and quality reporting, and more

Take the survey by March 31, 2023

Biden administration releases updated fact sheets and other supporting resources to prepare for changes that will occur beginning on May 11

3 now-shuttered South Florida nursing schools sold more than $100 million worth of fake nursing diplomas, leading authorities to charge more than two dozen people, according to federal prosecutors

Reporting Period 4 deadline to submit a report is March 31, 2023

Home health agencies will be required to complete the survey at every license renewal

Ending the PHE to change how the virus is treated, downgrading it from a pandemic to an endemic public health threat to be managed through the standard actions of the federal government

The legislation seeks to invest in Medicaid home- and community-based services and expand access to telehealth services

Public comments due by March 10, 2023

Topics discussed include Medicare payment policy, value-based purchasing, quality updates, and more

New resource provides an update for reporting claims-based quality measures and more

90-day extension effective January 11, 2023

Agenda includes the Expanded HHVBP Model, OASIS-E, and more

The Research Institute for Home Care 2022 Home Care Chartbook provides a detailed overview of the home health landscape that includes data on demographics and organizational trends

Business use increases by 3 cents per mile

Agency to create new rules within Chapter 59A-8 of the Florida Administrative Code

Legislation has implications for Medicare home health providers

Commission found that Medicare home health agencies had a 24.9% average profit margin in 2021

OASIS-E is effective January 1, 2023

Voting closes at 5:00 PM ET on December 21, 2022

Updates discussed include the Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model, claims processing changes, and the Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems for Medicare providers

State lawmakers will convene the next Florida Legislative Session on March 7, 2023

Key topics include the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) program

Please complete a brief survey about the Medicaid minimum wage mandate

Exit marks the first secretary-level departure in the DeSantis administration

Public comments welcome as health plans prepare to bid for contracts

Additional doctor and clinician facility affiliation information now included

Most recent extension of the PHE occurred on October 13, 2022

Reports provide data on home health agency quality measure performance in comparison to providers nationally within peer cohorts

Agenda topics include the 2023 Home Health Prospective Payment Rate Update Final Rule, Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model, and more

Nationwide expansion will be effective January 1, 2023

CMS to enact $635 million behavioral rate cut for home health agencies next year

Home Health Quality Reporting Program exceptions granted for Q3-2022 and Q4-2022

Agenda includes a panel discussion on streamlining delivery of home- and community-based services

Providers and stakeholders are welcome to participate in the workshops either in-person or by phone

Extension ensures that policies for home health providers will continue

CMS will identify error conditions, send new informational responses, and reprocess some Notices of Admission

New rule seeks to preserve essential worker rights and provide consistency for regulated entities, including home health agencies and nurse registries

Fines come as enrollment in the Medicaid managed care plans reaches an all-time high

CMS is accused of improperly administering Medicare's home health benefit in a class action lawsuit

Take action to enhance investments in Medicaid HCBS with just a few clicks of your mouse!

E-PLUS is a cloud-based software solution built for public health, emergency management authorities, and other entities to fill information gaps during public health emergencies and disasters

Reports reflect results from CAHPS surveys conducted between April 2021 and March 2022

Medicare Notice of Admission and home health updates on the agenda

Fee-for-service home health providers can apply for a waiver on the Hurricane Ian 1135 waiver web portal

AHCA adjusts Medicaid reimbursement rates prior to the October 1 implementation of the $15 minimum wage mandate

Topics discussed included value-based purchasing, quality reporting, and provider preview reports

Value-based purchasing, quality reporting updates among agenda items

U.S. Representatives John Rutherford (R-Jacksonville), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Miami), and Gus Bilirakis (Palm Harbor) back the Preserving Access to Home Health Act

Letter calls on Governor DeSantis to maintain access to care for our most vulnerable citizens and foster a strong network of Medicaid providers in Florida

Performance report webinar recording, August FAQs, new resources posted

Home health and hospice face-to-face telehealth waivers to remain in effect through the 151st day following the end of the public health emergency

New FAQs and program updates available

47% of Florida home health agencies downloaded the report as of Q4-2021

Most waivers and broad flexibilities to terminate at the eventual end of the PHE

Certain provisions in H.R.4826 particular would come at a cost for home care providers that would likely result in loss of access to care or increased financial burden on their patients

OSHA plans to publish a notice in the Federal Register to implement the ETS

Download a customizable template to submit for your organization

Learn about the two expanded performance feedback reports by registering now

The minimum wage for Medicaid workers will increase to $15 on October 1, 2022

2023 Medicare payment rule proposal on the agenda

AHCA finalizing fee schedules as managed care plans prepare to increase provider payments

Tell your elected officials to support the Preserving Access to Home Health Act!

New measures will help ensure people with Medicaid receive high-quality, cost-effective, person-centered services in the setting of their choice

Document provides guidance on OASIS questions that were received by Medicare help desks

New regulations coming soon that govern the training and delegation of tasks by registered nurses to home health agency staff

Two new target areas for home health announced

Sample reports coming soon

Register now for a free webinar on Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Questions asked and answered as state prepares to distribute funds

Agenda included 2023 home health proposed rule

Proposed rule would reduce payment rates by 4.2%, or $810 million less than 2022 rates

Federal government recently announced deadline extension through March 2025

Recent gasoline price increases spur increase

Medicare officials still deliberating requirements for non-physician practitioners to document their scope of practice and relationships with physicians

Budget oversight could cost providers

Share your story and make a difference!

Program to provide down payment and closing cost assistance to more than 50 professionals when buying their first home beginning June 1, 2022

Advisory lays out recommendations for health care organizations, insurers, technology companies, policymakers, academic institutions, researchers, and communities to address health worker burnout and ensure their well-being

Joint letter co-signed by more than 200 organizations across the nation

OASIS-E goes into effect on January 1, 2023

Access on-demand video and written resources courtesy of CMS

Effective April 1, 2022, the 1% sequestration payment adjustment will be applied for claims with dates of services from April 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022

Weigh in on Medicaid, state policies to help HCAF effectively advocate for the provider community

Report shows that total performance scores were 7% higher among agencies in HHVBP states than agencies in non-HHVBP states in 2020

Topics discussed include OASIS-E, Public Reporting, Home Health CAHPS, and Value-Based Purchasing

Part C plans must use cost sharing that does not exceed cost sharing in original Medicare for home health services for plans with a mandatory maximum out-of-pocket amount

Renewal ensures health care providers have continued flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic

AHCA has yet to announce the distribution formula that it will use to disburse the funds or when providers can expect to receive them, despite the application period ending two months ago tomorrow

From Monday, April 11 to Friday, April 22, 2022, at 11:59 PM ET, providers who did not submit their Reporting Period 1 report by the deadline may request to submit a late report if certain extenuating circumstances exist

Agenda includes home health and hospice quality and public reporting updates

CMS anticipates April 4, 2022, as the implementation date of the fix

Recapping Policy Outcomes That Impact the Florida Home Care Providers

The deadline to use these Period 2 funds was December 31, 2021

HCAF announces new online form to streamline provider feedback about state-level issues

Comment Deadline is April 22, 2022

Regulatory hearing to take place online on April 27, 2022

Providers encouraged to carefully review the "Services Provided" values that display on these reports

Package extends existing telehealth flexibilities for 151 days beyond the end of the public health emergency

The Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2022 (H.R. 6823) would expand and improve expand the home- and community-based services programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs

All signs point to an on-time departure for the Florida Legislature this coming Friday as House and Senate budget negotiators worked over the weekend to put the finishing touches on a new spending plan

Effective April 1, 2022, any claims subject to pre-claim review (PCR) that are submitted without a PCR decision will be subject to the 25% payment reduction

Legislators approve Senate proposal for $273.6 million increase to Medicaid rates, raising employee wages to at least $15 an hour

OASIS, claims processing issues, and more updates for Medicare home health agencies

Agenda includes claims processing, CAHPS, and quality reporting updates for home health providers

2,479 home- and community-based services providers submit application to receive one-time federal funding

New assessment tool is effective January 1, 2023

Legislation Now Awaits Governor DeSantis' Approval

Programs will provide an in-home or smaller care setting than traditional institutionalized long-term care for veterans

In a recent report, the Office of Inspector General found that Medicare improperly paid some claims for home health services with 5–7 visits in a payment episode

OMB approval still required and expected later this year

Agencies must submit an exemption request by March 31, 2022

Program integrity policies added, references to RAPs removed

State legislative budget proposals to be announced this week

We're entering the third week of the 2022 Legislative Session, so it is a busy time in this policy sphere

Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in the largest health care at home study to date

CMS email incorrectly stated that reports would be available on January 12

Flexibilities for Medicare and Medicaid providers granted an additional 90 days

The long-awaited decisions regarding the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates have finally arrived from the U.S. Supreme Court

Access the bimonthly newsletter for post-acute care providers from the Medicare Beneficiary- and Family-Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) for 29 states

As federal vaccination mandate regulations near enforcement, a decision from the Court is expected very soon

Stay ahead of the curve and in the know with these recent home care news stories

Florida Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers are advised to act quickly to put into place policies and procedures to comply with the mandate

All providers must apply by February 14, 2022

The Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act preserves almost $2 billion in payments

Medicare quality reporting and OASIS updates for home health agencies

State survey agency directors that it has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the vaccine mandate rule due to the preliminary injunctions that are in effect

Medicare's Supplemental Medical Review Contractor conducting post-payment review of claims for home health services billed on dates of service from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020

10 states win a temporary injunction as Florida legal challenge makes its way to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

The roughly $1.7 trillion social spending package contains substantial implications for the future of home and community-based services in the United States, as well as training and development of the direct care workforce

Exemption forms now available for workers following the recent special legislative session

Experts warn that employers should be prepared to respond quickly to achieve compliance that should be necessary in the future

State to invest more than $669 million to directly address ongoing workforce challenges

Claims processing issues, quality reporting updates, and more for home health providers

HCAF's months-long advocacy efforts result in one-time provider stipends and worker retention payments

Letter comes after multiple meetings with state health policy officials about costly, unnecessary enrollment requirements

Home health payment rates to increase by 2.6% with no change to the behavioral adjustment as the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing demonstration expands nationwide

Facilities that receive a letter of non-compliance may submit a request for reconsideration to CMS via email no later than 11:59 PM ET on November 10, 2021

This latest renewal will last for 90 days, at which point it will lapse or be renewed again

Federal government to host webcasts to offer guidance to providers

Application deadline is October 26, 2021

Medicare Claims Processing Updates Specific to the Notice of Admission and Patient Discharge Status

Palmetto GBA announced the program began again effective September 1, 2021

“We have dodged some RCD bullets over and over again,” Bobby Lolley, Executive Director of HCAF, told Home Health Care News

The CY 2022 Home Health PPS Proposed Rule will be reviewed, among other topics relevant to Medicare providers

Medicare program goes into effect on September 1, 2021

Health care providers are encouraged to use this new website to understand the threat of ransomware, mitigate risk, and in the event of an attack, know what steps to take next

Changes are primarily a reorganization of the material, clarifications, and updates

How high will Medicaid enrollment go?

Three new target areas have been added to address new risks associated with the Patient-Driven Groupings Model

Report expected to be issued in 2023

Funding will help health care organizations establish a culture of wellness among the workforce and will support training efforts that build resiliency

Plan calls for stipends and retention payments to recruit new workers and increase the retention rates of the direct care workforce

During the period of the emergency standard, covered health care employers must develop and implement a COVID-19 plan to identify and control COVID-19 hazards in the workplace

Federal government announces limited extension on providers’ use of funds and additional clarification on reporting requirements

Effective June 8, Medicare will pay providers an additional $35 per dose for administering the COVID-19 vaccine in the home for certain beneficiaries who have difficulties leaving their homes or are hard to reach

2016-2019 Medicare savings totaled more than $600 million

Medicare Administrative Contractors may now begin conducting post-payment medical review for later dates of services