The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released updated guidance to extend COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities approved in the states’ section 1915(c) home- and community-based services (HCBS) waiver Appendix K amendments.
These flexibilities were originally set to expire six months after the expiration of the PHE. But CMS has determined that … Read More >>>
On June 19, 2023, CMS sent out updated guidance to Accreditation Organizations (AOs) regarding unannounced surveys, blackout dates, and the complaint process. If not already in place, these changes to the AOs processes must be implemented by July 14, 2023:
“In accordance with both §488.5(a)(4)(i), which requires unannounced surveys, as well as our long-standing instructions in Chapter 2 … Read More >>>
Back in April 2022, the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued an OIG Work Plan update stating that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will undertake an audit into how states implement their electronic visit verification (EVV) systems for Medicaid personal care services (PCS) and home health care services (HHCS).
The … Read More >>>
With the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ending, it’s time to gear up to return to the volunteer requirements that were waived in 2020. Among the flexibilities previously issued by the U.S. Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS), during the PHE, was the temporary lifting of the requirement that volunteers provide at least 5% … Read More >>>
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released revisions to Hospice-Appendix M of the State Operations Manual.
The biggest changes for hospices impact “the number of required sample medical record reviews, closed record reviews, and home visits” when undergoing your survey for Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) Hospice Accreditation. These … Read More >>>
Legislation in new federal bill, the HCBS Access Act, could help hundreds of thousands more people with disabilities and seniors receive life-sustaining home care services and in their communities.
The bill, recently introduced in Congress, would increase Medicaid and state funding for home and community-based services (HCBS), and also provide resources to states for … Read More >>>
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has completely overhauled the survey process for hospices. The revision goes into effect immediately. The 196-page memo provides the details of the changes to Appendix M of the State Operations Manual and CMS Hospice Basic Surveyor Training.
The refining of the CMS hospice survey process is “to … Read More >>>
As the home health sector is dealing with rate cuts, the entire Home Care industry is fighting its own battle with the rising cost of services.
This is just one factor that could change the way Home Care agencies do business in 2023.
While Home Care providers are also trying to differentiate themselves in other … Read More >>>
“Home care saw tremendous growth during the pandemic — however, the industry is not immune to the effects of today’s recessionary directions,” Brady Murphy, chief revenue officer at AlayaCare, said in a recent statement. “Results from the HHCN, AlayaCare survey indicate that respondents remain optimistic about 2023. They look for ways to improve margins through … Read More >>>
On October 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final rule for Medicare home health payments, settling on a rate reduction of 3.925% for 2023 with additional cuts to come in 2024. While that is less than the 7.69% cut initially proposed, it is still a blow to providers, according to … Read More >>>