OASIS-Central

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its annual Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Final Rule last week on October 31, which will update the HH PPS rates for 2012. According to CMS, payments to home health agencies are estimated to decrease by approximately 2.31 percent. This decrease in payment that [...]

Q: We have a bedfast, male patient who can place and remove the urinal, but cannot place/remove the bedpan. In this situation, how would we answer OASIS-C data element M1840 (Toilet Transferring)? A: OASIS-C data element M1840 is intended to identify the patient’s ability to get to and from and transfer on and off the [...]

On October 3, the Senate Finance Committee released a report regarding the investigation of four major homecare company’s therapy practices. In response to a media report that home health companies took advantage of the Medicare therapy payment system by providing medically-unnecessary patient care, an investigation into home health therapy practices at Amedisys, LHC Group, Gentiva, [...]

Q: What is the action taken when Medicare discovers an overpayment to a provider? A: When Medicare discovers an overpayment of $10 or more, they will send a demand letter requesting payment. This letter will explain the process, including interest accrual (if payment not received within 31 days of the letter date). If they receive [...]

Homecare providers are under increased scrutiny. One of the sources of that scrutiny: Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). Providers should monitor their RAC’s website for approved issues and up-to-date information. Knowing your RAC and how to contact them is extremely important. RACs, along with their region and contact information, include: Region A: Diversified Collection Services Website: [...]