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Home Health Technology Tag

We’re well into 2019, and it seems PDGM (Patient-Driven Groupings Model) is among the most discussed healthcare topics at the moment. From industry trade publications to speakers at national conferences, everyone is talking about how PDGM will affect home health agencies in 2020. The information can be insightful, but it can also be overwhelming. Here is a key-point summary that will help your home health agency prepare for 2020, both financially and operationally.

CMS DELAYS RCD UNTIL MARCH 2020

 

Advocates for home health care have achieved a significant triumph regarding the ongoing struggle against implementation of RCD (Review Choice Demonstration).

After a series of sessions reviewing the matter, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an official statement this past Monday that the RCD will be delayed until March 2, 2020. Originally, implementation of the demonstration was slated to start in Texas on December second of 2019. This would have resulted in home health care providers in the Lone Star state being forced to simultaneously navigate RCD while also dealing with the equally intimidating PDGM (Patient-Driven Groupings Model).

The moment PDGM (The Patient-Driven Groupings Model) takes effect in the year 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) looks to see their new edict change the landscape of home health care operations, specifically with regard to double billing. With PDGM representing the largest wholesale revamp in many years, agencies and providers will need to dedicate significant attention to using this year to ensure proper preparation. With the number of changes in store, inevitably some agencies will contest specific aspects of PDGM’s new requirements.

Illinois Review Choice Demonstration to Begin on June 1

The Center for Medicare Services (CMS) recently released information about the next steps for its Review Choice Demonstration (RCD). Illinois will be the first state to participate with the newest version of this demonstration, beginning  June 1, 2019. The Five (5) state claims review demonstration also includes Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, and Texas.

National Shortage of Home Care Workers Drives Agencies to Recruit Retired, Aged Workers 

Agencies & organizations providing home health and home care in the U.S have felt the brunt of a growing shortage of able and qualified workers at an increasing pace over the last few years. With competition from other more lucrative industries siphoning off younger freshly educated potential workers, Home Health agencies have been turning to a seemingly unlikely source, in retired workers. While many of these workers may carry higher associated costs such as healthcare of their own, the level of skill, patient care, and professionalism has driven many home health care organizations to increase recruitment from this pool of the former fulltime workforce.

Home health is a dynamic industry that requires constant review of regulations changes.  In 2018 the industry experienced a major update to the Conditions of Participation including revisions to the plan of care and comprehensive assessments. So far 2019 has brought a fairly high level of arguably drastic changes. In this article we will highlight some of those changes,  and where relevant point out any direct impact to your Home Health Software or your agency’s operations as whole.

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Re-Branded & Slightly Revamped, CMS Pre-Claim Review Moves Closer to Implementation   In 2016, in an effort to eradicate improper billing practices that seemed to pop up in agencies across the nation, CMS (The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)...

Hospitals and Homecare Agencies...

Homecare agency owners small and large have recently had good reason for optimism over a provision in the health care reform bill related to the home care industry’s opportunity with hospitals. Thanks to a provision in health care reform legislation that penalizes hospitals that fail to reduce their hospitalization rates for three specific diagnoses, Homecare agencies have the opportunity to be more than just a provider. They can actually come to the rescue of hospitals and develop mutually advantageous relationships that keep the hospital in compliance, and increase business for the Home care agency.