Telehealth is a visit with a provider that uses telecommunication systems between a provider and a patient. Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services by waiving 42 CFR § 484.55(a), allowing home health agencies to perform the initial assessment remotely. The initial assessment must still be provided within 48 hours of the patient’s referral or return home from …
AMDA Considerations to Consider Before Implementing Universal Testing
Below is a repost of a Briggs article written by Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP, Clinical Consultant, Briggs Healthcare. AMDA posted this document on May 18, 2020. Here is the issue that the document addresses: “There is a clear understanding that protecting our vulnerable post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) population is dependent on adequate access to testing. Testing must be readily accessible, completed in a timely …
YES! COVID-19 can be coded based on a positive lab result
Lots of folks are making statements about physician documentation linking positive test results and not being able to code based on lab results. When coding COVID-19, there are exceptions in both cases. COVID 19 guidelines Code only confirmed cases. Code only a confirmed diagnosis of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as documented by the provider, documentation of a positive …
CLARITY for Home Health Agencies
Annette Lee, RN, MS, COS-C from Provider Insights, Inc. has provided more clarity for home health agencies during this time. Read the full summary below. So, last night, CMS published a “Fact Sheet” of additional blanket waivers and flexibilities provided to the home health industry. Immediately, we all heard different interpretations. Today, like many of us, I spent the day reading the …
Interim Final Rule on Telehealth in Home Health CMS-1744-IFC
The HH PPS provides payment for all services furnished under the Medicare home health benefit as outlined in section 1861(m) of the Act in the form of a “bundled” 30-day unit of payment that is adjusted for case-mix and area wage differences in accordance with section 1895(b) of the Act. Section 1895(e)(1)(A) of the Act states that nothing under section …
Update #2: Changes in our World of HH & Hospice related to COVID-19
Annette Lee, RN, MS, COS-C from Provider Insights, Inc. has provided more updates on the information released by CMS related to COVID-19. Read the full summary below. Well, within 24 hours from my last email this week, we had more news and clarifications, and today, even better and bigger changes will provide us with a little relief!! I know you are …
New Code for COVID-19 Effective April 1
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 …
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 …