The COVID-19 virus has thrown a wrench into any home health care plans the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initially had for 2020. Instead of mainly focusing on the launch of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) and other initiatives, the agency has had to make a slew of critical decisions in support […]
Throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, telehealth has emerged as a key solution for home health providers looking to curb the spread of the coronavirus and preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) amid a national shortage. CommonSpirit Health at Home — already no stranger to telehealth tools — recently announced that it has expanded its virtual […]
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the White House announced a new round of regulatory flexibilities aimed at improving care for seniors during the coronavirus Thursday. Home health agencies, however, were largely left out of the picture — again. In its announcement, CMS outlined steps it is taking to increase access […]
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced plans to suspend its advance payment program and reevaluate its accelerated payment program. It’s a decision that some home health industry insiders feel is too premature. CMS typically offers expedited Medicare payments to help providers during times of natural disasters. The agency initially expanded […]
Citing recently created coronavirus relief sources for home health agencies and other Medicare providers, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Sunday that it is suspending its advance payment program. The agency is also “reevaluating” its accelerated payment program. By pressing pause on the recently expanded loan programs, CMS effectively eliminates two […]
Some health systems will soon be able to begin performing elective procedures again, thanks to a new set of guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released Sunday. A return of elective procedures could be a boost for home health providers, who have experienced a decrease in revenue during the COVID-19 public […]
Home health providers are currently waiting in the calm before the storm, bracing themselves for the COVID-19 surge that has already affected hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and other settings. Unfortunately, industry experts say, they’re readying their operations without necessary support from policymakers, who have seemingly been slow to fully embrace in-home care as a […]
During and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, U.S. home health providers will likely have to navigate sudden changes to both their patient volumes and admission sources. When it comes to the latter, any drastic shifts in referrals and admissions could throw a huge wrench into the planning that went into Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) […]
Advanced payments from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can help home health agencies navigate cash flow challenges associated with the COVID-19 virus. But providers will need to approach accelerated payments with caution, armed with accurate, objective assessments of their internal financial situations. During times of natural disasters, CMS normally offers expedited […]
If home health and hospice providers discover an unexpected Medicare payment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) later this week, they shouldn’t be too alarmed — it’s not a billing error. The surprise deposit isn’t a mistake, but rather a no-strings-attached bump to help maintain operational stability amid coronavirus disruption. CMS Administrator […]