Article Archive
CY 2011: Physician Signatures on Lab Requisitions, Face-to-Face Encounters, and Therapy Updates
LABORATORY REQUISITIONS Though CMS states there is delayed enforcement until April 1, 2011, home health agencies should be ready to hear from laboratories regarding the new CMS requirement to have physician signatures on requisitions. Agencies have been required to obtain orders for lab tests. CMS now requires signatures on requisitions in order for the laboratory [...]
Read more...CODING 2011: ICD-10-CM and Other Deadlines Looming
Agency leaders know that now more than ever, coding is driving reimbursement. Agency leaders want appropriate payment and compliance. Besides coding itself, and CY 2011 changes, agency leaders need to be aware that other dates are looming in this area that can impact upon an agency’s success. While Home Health Agencies were focusing on new CY [...]
Read more...What is Management and Evaluation?
Since the new G-Codes have been implemented, G-162 has raised questions once again. Management and evaluation is the Medicare covered qualifying skilled nursing service, introduced in 1989. Even though it has been around for over two decades, it remains a complex and confusing service, with a history of denials. In the mid 1990s, during Operation [...]
Read more...G-Code Transmittal – The New and Revised G-Codes
The New and Revised G-Codes and More Specific Information Sought by CMS Effective 1/1/11 http://www.coms.gov/transmittals/downloads/R824OTN.pdf CMS is seeking more specific information regarding who is visiting the patient, ie; a PT or a PTA or an OT or COTA. In addition, they are seeking to categorize skilled nursing visits into four categories: direct skilled nursing care, [...]
Read more...CY 2011 Updates FAQ
Over the past few weeks, many of our clients have called with questions regarding the CY2011 Final Rule. We have collected several of the most frequently asked questions for you to review. Answer sources: November 17, 2010 Federal Register Final Rule, CMS: www.cms.gov/center/hha.asp, NAHC: teleconferences and written medium, CMS12/20 Bulletin, and MLN Matters Articles at [...]
Read more...