Provider Updates
Provider Updates
These updates support provider members by highlighting new resouces, trainings, policies and procedures, legislation, and programs. You will also find advice and guidance for providers. Subscribe to updates or see HCAF news announcements.
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The system provides essential patient data through various applications in times of emergency declaration
HCAF
The Biden administration issues waivers for health care providers, special enrollment opportunities for hurricane victims, and more
HCAF
Medicaid provider issues and the upcoming 2024 Florida legislative session were among the discussion topics
HCAF
Take the pre-knowledge check, register, and submit your questions today
HCAF
PEPPER is an educational tool that summarizes provider-specific data statistics for Medicare services that may be at risk for improper payments
HCAF
The purpose of these webinars is to provide assistance to Medicare home health providers who are new to the Review Choice Demonstration
HCAF
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
HCAF
About 140 children in the Medicaid program are in three nursing homes in Broward and Pinellas counties, according to the ruling
HCAF
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
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
HCAF
Completing the survey is mandatory for home health agencies during each biennial renewal, and failure to submit it will lead to licensure denial
HCAF
53% of Medicare-certified home health agencies retrieved the report as of the fourth quarter of 2021
HCAF
ACTs are intended to open the communication channels between Medicare home health providers and Palmetto GBA
HCAF
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
HCAF
For this refresh, Home Health (HH) Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) will be based on the standard number of quarters
HCAF
The finalized rules allow a registered nurse to delegate additional tasks to certified nursing assistants and home health aides
HCAF
Posters with updated Fair Labor Standards Act and Family and Medical Leave Act information become effective on May 2, 2023
HCAF
Provisions most important for home health providers relate to acceptable coverage criteria, prior authorization, utilization management, behavioral health, marketing, and health equity
HCAF
CMS proposes to require that at least 80% of all Medicaid payments be spent on compensation to direct care workers
HCAF
For this refresh, the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) will be based on the standard number of quarters
HCAF
Agenda topics include updates on the Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model, QAO Performance Reports, and more
HCAF
3.95% reduction in Medicare home health payments for 2023 prompted Congress to mandate the webinar
HCAF
Program designates awards to well-performing home health agencies based on survey performance and other criteria
HCAF
Stakeholder feedback is welcome on regulations allowing direct care workers to perform additional tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse
HCAF
Home Health Prospective Payment System Grouper Software April 2023 update released, PDGM claim edit enhancements revised
HCAF
The webinar will provide an overview of behavior changes, the construction of 60-day episodes, and payment rate development
HCAF
Several topics are clarified in the fact sheet, including vaccines, testing, and treatments, telehealth services, and access to health care
HCAF
Home care advocates unite to share real-world stories about how home care has benefited your patients/clients
HCAF
Ask Congress to enhance investments in Medicaid home care services with just a few clicks of your mouse!
HCAF
Agenda topics include the 2023 payment rule, updates on value-based purchasing and quality reporting, and more
HCAF
Biden administration releases updated fact sheets and other supporting resources to prepare for changes that will occur beginning on May 11
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
The legislation seeks to invest in Medicaid home- and community-based services and expand access to telehealth services
HCAF
Topics discussed include Medicare payment policy, value-based purchasing, quality updates, and more
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
Reports provide data on home health agency quality measure performance in comparison to providers nationally within peer cohorts
HCAF
Agenda topics include the 2023 Home Health Prospective Payment Rate Update Final Rule, Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model, and more
HCAF
Agenda includes a panel discussion on streamlining delivery of home- and community-based services
HCAF
Providers and stakeholders are welcome to participate in the workshops either in-person or by phone
HCAF
CMS will identify error conditions, send new informational responses, and reprocess some Notices of Admission
HCAF
New rule seeks to preserve essential worker rights and provide consistency for regulated entities, including home health agencies and nurse registries
HCAF
CMS is accused of improperly administering Medicare's home health benefit in a class action lawsuit
HCAF
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
HCAF
Fee-for-service home health providers can apply for a waiver on the Hurricane Ian 1135 waiver web portal
HCAF
AHCA adjusts Medicaid reimbursement rates prior to the October 1 implementation of the $15 minimum wage mandate
HCAF
Topics discussed included value-based purchasing, quality reporting, and provider preview reports
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
New measures will help ensure people with Medicaid receive high-quality, cost-effective, person-centered services in the setting of their choice
HCAF
New regulations coming soon that govern the training and delegation of tasks by registered nurses to home health agency staff
HCAF
Medicare officials still deliberating requirements for non-physician practitioners to document their scope of practice and relationships with physicians
HCAF
Program to provide down payment and closing cost assistance to more than 50 professionals when buying their first home beginning June 1, 2022
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
Weigh in on Medicaid, state policies to help HCAF effectively advocate for the provider community
HCAF
Report shows that total performance scores were 7% higher among agencies in HHVBP states than agencies in non-HHVBP states in 2020
HCAF
Topics discussed include OASIS-E, Public Reporting, Home Health CAHPS, and Value-Based Purchasing
HCAF
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
HCAF
Renewal ensures health care providers have continued flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
Providers encouraged to carefully review the "Services Provided" values that display on these reports
HCAF
Package extends existing telehealth flexibilities for 151 days beyond the end of the public health emergency
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
Legislators approve Senate proposal for $273.6 million increase to Medicaid rates, raising employee wages to at least $15 an hour
HCAF
Agenda includes claims processing, CAHPS, and quality reporting updates for home health providers
HCAF
2,479 home- and community-based services providers submit application to receive one-time federal funding
HCAF
Programs will provide an in-home or smaller care setting than traditional institutionalized long-term care for veterans
HCAF
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
HCAF
We're entering the third week of the 2022 Legislative Session, so it is a busy time in this policy sphere
HCAF
The long-awaited decisions regarding the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates have finally arrived from the U.S. Supreme Court
HCAF
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
HCAF
As federal vaccination mandate regulations near enforcement, a decision from the Court is expected very soon
HCAF
Florida Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers are advised to act quickly to put into place policies and procedures to comply with the mandate
HCAF
The Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act preserves almost $2 billion in payments
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
10 states win a temporary injunction as Florida legal challenge makes its way to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
HCAF
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
HCAF
Experts warn that employers should be prepared to respond quickly to achieve compliance that should be necessary in the future
HCAF
HCAF's months-long advocacy efforts result in one-time provider stipends and worker retention payments
HCAF
Letter comes after multiple meetings with state health policy officials about costly, unnecessary enrollment requirements
HCAF
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
HCAF
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
HCAF
Medicare Claims Processing Updates Specific to the Notice of Admission and Patient Discharge Status
HCAF
“We have dodged some RCD bullets over and over again,” Bobby Lolley, Executive Director of HCAF, told Home Health Care News
HCAF
The CY 2022 Home Health PPS Proposed Rule will be reviewed, among other topics relevant to Medicare providers
HCAF
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
Kyle Simon
Three new target areas have been added to address new risks associated with the Patient-Driven Groupings Model
Patti Heid
Funding will help health care organizations establish a culture of wellness among the workforce and will support training efforts that build resiliency
HCAF
Plan calls for stipends and retention payments to recruit new workers and increase the retention rates of the direct care workforce
Kyle Simon
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
Kyle Simon
Federal government announces limited extension on providers’ use of funds and additional clarification on reporting requirements
Kyle Simon
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
Kyle Simon
Medicare Administrative Contractors may now begin conducting post-payment medical review for later dates of services
Kyle Simon