The new code for COVID-19, U07.1, is one of two new codes to be added to the code set effective April 1, 2020. New codes are usually effective on October 1, except in the case of emergency, so we will have two codes in the new U chapter, one for COVID-19 and one related to vaping. There is currently no …
Changes in Our World of HH and Hospice related to COVID-19
Annette Lee, RN, MS, COS-C from Provider Insights, Inc. has provided a summary of the information released by CMS related to COVID-19. Read the full summary below. What a whirlwind we have all been through in the last couple of weeks. There has been a LOT of information in the last 10 days – changes hourly sometimes! I wanted to …
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has written a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma
Please see this article from the National Association for Home Care (NAHC): The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has written a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma, pointing out that providing quality health care in the home is one of the best ways to prevent transmission of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Therefore, it makes sense for CMS …
Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning COVID-19 in Home Health Agencies
On March 10, 2020, CMS issued QSO-20-18-HHA…Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning COVID-19 in Home Health Agencies This 7-page memorandum addresses (and contains links to additional information): Which patients are at risk for severe disease for COVID-19? How should HHAs screen patients for COVID-19? How should HHAs monitor or restrict home visits for health care staff? Do all patients with …
Selman-Holman to expand learning opportunities for Home Care and Skilled Nursing professionals in 2020
Lisa Selman-Holman to serve on NAHC Education Committee, develop new educational offerings for coders and clinicians As Selman-Holman continues to expand its offerings for home care and skilled nursing professionals, we’re excited to announce a number of new educational initiatives for 2020. Beginning in 2020, Lisa Selman-Holman will serve on the Education Committee for the National Association for Home Care …
BREAKING NEWS: Z45.2
Remember when the Coding Clinic said we couldn’t place Z45.2 as a secondary and our world as we knew it fell apart? Well, we can put those pieces back together. Follow along with Lisa in this quick 10-minute video as she breaks down the problem and provides the resolution!
If a patient dies while under the care of the home health agency, do we have to complete a Discharge Summary?
After two years under the “new” Conditions of Participation, I’ve had a question that has come up several times in the last few weeks, so thought I’d share: If a patient dies while under the care of the home health agency, do we have to complete a Discharge Summary? Researching the CoPs and Interpretive Guidelines: Everything in the CoPs and …
[Live Webinar] Wounds and the Wound Grouper
Some wounds are easy. You code the wound and the patient is in the wound grouper. It’s not so easy when conventions and other rules get in the way OR CMS did not place the wound in the grouper. How does the agency get compensated for the wound in this case? CMS has provided guidance and Lisa has developed a …
Update at the 30-Day Time Point
Do we have to make changes at the 30-Day time point? Yes! The Claims Processing Manual states that “each claim must represent the actual utilization over the period.” So if the focus of care for the first 30 days is resolved by day 28, you must update the diagnosis list for the second 30 day payment period to reflect the …
Transitioning to iQIES – Watch Your Final Validation Reports!
The clock is ticking loudly!! Home Health Agencies (HHAs) are transitioning to iQIES (Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System) on January 1, 2020. You’ve been transmitting your OASIS data sets to CMS via the QIES ASAP (Quality Improvement and Evaluation System – Assessment Submission and Processing) system since submission was required – many years! By now, your agency should have …