2023-02
CMS Releases Report on Home Infusion Therapy Services
February 27, 2023CMS has released the Home Infusion Therapy (HIT) Monitoring Report for February 2023, which includes benefit use data from the first quarter of 2020 through the second quarter of 2022. The report…
CGS Provider Alert: Provider Responsibility When Using Billing Companies and Outsourced Agencies
February 27, 2023Please see below for a recent provider alert issued by CGS regarding the use of billing companies or outsourced agencies. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires providers,…
U.S. Supreme Court Rules that Highly Compensated Day Rate Employee Not Exempt From Overtime
February 27, 2023On February 22, 2023, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion in Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. v. Hewitt, holding that paying an employee a “day rate” (in that case between…
HHAeXchange Homecare Survey: 80% of Caregivers Say Impact on Patient Health and Well-Being Is Their #1 Motivator
February 27, 2023The HHAeXchange team recently conducted a survey of more than 1400 caregivers across the nation to uncover what really motivates them on the job. Despite challenges with workforce shortages, burnout,…
ODP Issues Guidance on New Report Supports Requirements
February 20, 2023Last week, the Office of Developmental Programs issued additional guidance on the requirements for the new Remote Supports service definition approved in the Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support, and Community Living…
DHS Issues Bulletin on Shadow Nursing for Pediatric Patients
February 20, 2023On Friday, February 17, the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) issued Bulletin 05-23-02, 16-23-01, Coverage of Case Specific Training/Shadow Nursing for Private Duty/Shift Nursing Services for MA Beneficiaries Under 21…
CGS: Tips to Reduce Medicare Hospice Claim Denials
February 20, 2023Did you know that the leading cause of Medicare hospice claim denials is lack of proper documentation of a terminal prognosis of 6 months or less? Between July and September…
DOL Issues Guidance on Tracking Telework Hours
February 20, 2023On February 9, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued guidance on tracking hours worked by employees who telework. This guidance reaffirms longstanding principles regarding what constitutes hours…
U.S. Senate Holds Hearing on Healthcare Workforce
February 20, 2023Last week, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) held a hearing on healthcare workforce shortages across the country. Sanders issued a statement saying, “We’re going to focus on…
ODP Publishes Everyday Lives: Values in Action 2022 Report
February 20, 2023The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)’s Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) has released its Everyday Lives: Values in Action Annual Report for 2022. This annual report includes statistical information…
Recording & Slides Now Available from HIPAA Administrative Simplification Proposed Rule Webinar
February 20, 2023CMS has posted the recording (password: 4%2M!3c?) and slides from its webinar on the Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Processes proposed rule. As a reminder, public comments on this proposed rule are due by…
DHS Says Parents Can Continue as Paid Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children
February 13, 2023Last week, PHA received notice that parents may continue serving as paid home health aides for medically fragile children, after the Department of Human Services (DHS), PHA, and other stakeholders…
Members Ask; PHA Answers: Nurse Shadowing for Pediatric Services
February 13, 2023In December, the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) issued a Bulletin adding a rate for nurse shadowing for pediatric services. The nurse shadow rate is effective for claims with dates of…
Harrisburg Happenings: Moving Right Along
February 13, 2023It seemed as though legislative action might be delayed indefinitely in PA, until the February 7 special elections took place for three vacant seats in the PA House of Representatives….
IRRC Responds to Proposed Rule on Reduce Barriers for Nursing Licensures Across State Lines
February 13, 2023On February 8, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) published comments on a proposed rule submitted by the State Board of Nursing that would amend existing regulations to address requirements for reactivation of a…
Regulatory Round Up: Federal Comment Due Dates Approaching
February 13, 2023As a reminder, a number of proposed rules are currently open for public comment at the federal level, including:
Updated HHQRP User Manual Now Available
February 13, 2023The Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQRP) Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual has been updated to reflect quality measure changes implemented since the Manual Addendum Update in October 2020. These changes…
Home Health Notice: Revised Editing of Telehealth Claims
February 6, 2023From January 1 – February 6, 2023, CMS incorrectly returned claims with telehealth services if they did not include an in-person visit with the same revenue code (reason code 31869).
Beginning on May 1, 2023, claim and eligibility-specific calls received in the Provider Contact Center (PCC) will need to be properly authenticated by the Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) system prior to speaking…
The Latest on Pediatric Paid Family Caregivers
February 6, 2023PHA continues to advocate for policy changes to allow parents to continue as paid family (home health aide) caregivers after the PHE and partner with other advocates on this critical…
Gov. Shapiro Signs Executive Order to Reduce Wait Times for Professional Licensing in Pennsylvania
February 6, 2023Last week, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an Executive Order to improve Pennsylvania’s licensing, permitting, and certification processes by establishing standard response times, implementing a money-back guarantee, and improving technology. Shapiro cited issues…
Members Ask; PHA Answers: OSHA Reporting Requirements
February 6, 2023PHA has received the following questions on OSHA recording and posting requirements: Q: What are the OSHA Form 300 recording and posting requirements?
2023 Community HealthChoices Agreement Now Available
February 6, 2023The 2023 Community HealthChoices Agreement between the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the CHC MCOs is now available. Changes and clarifications include the following:
On January 19, PHA CEO Teri Henning was asked to participate in CMS’s quarterly EVV Learning Collaborative. In the meeting, attended by approximately 200 state Medicaid directors and stakeholders, CMS…
Congressional Committee Examines Discrimination Against Individuals with Disabilities
February 6, 2023Last week, the Health Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Energy and Commerce held its first hearing to receive testimony on a variety of topics that included the Quality Adjusted Life…
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued Provider Quick Tip #265 on checking the status of electronic provider enrollment applications and what to do if your application is returned for additional…
MedPAC, MACPAC Release Updated Data on Dual-Eligibles
February 6, 2023The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) have released an updated data book: Beneficiaries Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
- 1
- 1-27 of 27 results