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Home Health Blog Tag

The worldwide Coronavirus pandemic has caused ripple effects across numerous sectors of the global and local economies. A dramatic shift upwards in demand for homecare and medical care in general, has subsequently changed the way that healthcare is delivered and received on many fronts.

Can home health care agencies bill Medicare Part B for outpatient services? 

 

Outpatient Therapy Services BillingYes. According to CMS, outpatient therapy services may be provided by a home health agency to patients who are not homebound or otherwise are not receiving services under a home health plan of care (POC). These services are not paid under the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS). The reimbursement for the outpatient therapy services is calculated using the Medicare Physician’s Fee Schedule (MPFS).

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for Utah Medicaid

As an ongoing part of our commitment to keeping home health care professionals up to date with the latest regulatory information at the national and state level, in this edition of our homecare blog, we turn the spotlight on electronic visit verification in the state of UTAH. A good starting point is to look at the beginnings of how EVV requirements came to be, which brings us to the 21st Century Cures Act.

Choosing EVV Software

 

How do I choose EVV software?As the 21st Century Cures act moves to the forefront of home health agency staffs, many agencies find themselves trying to prepare for the inevitable. According to their official website www.medicaid.gov, all U.S states are required by law to implement an approved electronic visit verification system for all Medicaid-funded personal care services by January 1, 2020, and home health care services by January 1, 2023. Any non-compliant states will face financial penalties unless they have an authentic delay reason or burden which prevented their compliance.   To meet state requirements, when selecting a software vendor for EVV compliance, agencies performing personal care and home health services need to be sure to do their homework.

To view the MassHealth EVV Software solution by Alora, click here

 

MassHealth EVV 

What you need to know about Massachusetts Electronic Visit Verification 

 

As home health care agencies strive to stay compliant with regulatory requirements on both the state and federal level annually, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is a hot topic in the state of Massachusetts. As one of many states where EVV implementation is currently in play, Massachusetts Medicaid EVV (most commonly referred to as MassHealth EVV) requirements will need to be addressed and prepared for by agencies operating within the state. The (EOHHS) Executive Office of Health and Human Services administers the Massachusetts Medicaid program known as MassHealth, and will provide an EVV system that complies with federal Medicaid requirements, while minimizing any undue burden on users.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and State Survey Agencies (SSAs) are conducting targeted infection control surveys of select home health and hospice providers to ensure providers are following proper infection control practices during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Organizations are being identified for the surveys through collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).

Using Home Health Software Can Reduce Person-to-Person Contact & Facilitate Remote Work Across the country these past several days, many states are implementing stay-at-home or essential-travel only orders for their citizens. For Home Health professionals, the encouragement to practice social distancing to protect ourselves, our families...