Parkinson’s Disease is a movement disorder that affects over 1 million people in the U.S. With multiple treatments options now available, those affected can be instrumental in designing a regimen that’s right for them. Education and creating a support team to navigate the mental and physical effects is key. Learn more about the 5 stages…
Category: Uncategorized
Emergency Preparedness Plan Changes
On March 26, 2021, CMS released updated interpretive guidelines and updates to Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual (SOM) as well as Expanded Guidance related to Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs). These are effective immediately. One prominent change was the addition of Emerging Infectious Diseases. This addition impacts various aspects of your emergency plan and…
National Physicians Week
Thank you to all our home care and hospice physicians! With COVID-19 waivers, physicians have the capabilities to do home health visits via telemed allowing vulnerable seniors to continue to receive care while staying safely in their homes. We honor all physicians this week and appreciate your dedication to the healthcare industry and the well…
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Education & Awareness Month
MS is a chronic neurological condition that affects the central nervous system and even though there is a lot of research being done, the cause of MS is not known. In 2017 there were almost a million people diagnosed with some form of MS and even though the rate of progression varies widely, the disease…
COVID-19 Vaccine Policy
Home health and hospice agencies are at a higher demand, now more than ever, for protecting their patients and staff from COVID-19. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized two vaccines for public use in December 2020 and a third in February 2021.
Home Health Infection Control
The OIG will be interviewing corporate officers from the three largest home health agencies.
Request for Anticipated Payment (RAP) Changes in 2021
As a reminder, home health agencies will no longer receive RAP payments for 30-day payment periods beginning on and after January 1, 2021.However, agencies are required to submit the RAP in a timely manner to avoid monetary penalties. This is in preparation for the transition to the Notice of Admission beginning in 2022.
Audit of Home Health Services Provided as Telehealth During the COVID-19 PHE
The Office of the Inspector General has announced that “we will evaluate home health services provided by agencies during the COVID-19 public health emergency to determine which types of skilled services were furnished via telehealth, and whether those services were administered and billed in accordance with Medicare requirements”.
Emergency Preparedness Plan Action
Much of the United States has experienced a weather emergency this week. Home health agencies and hospices are required to document the events if they enacted another aspect of their emergency preparedness program—in addition to the COVID pandemic.
Caring for your aging parents or family members during a Public Health Emergency (COVID-19)
Caring for your aging parent or family member can be a difficult task on its own but with an added Public Health Emergency (PHE) and COVID-19, there are additional struggles. If you are finding yourself in this position, consider the following helpful tips as a caregiver during this time.
