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Hospice Insider

COMPLIANCE:
Four Tips Keep Your Claims Healthy in 2010
Take a proactive approach to stop audit trouble before it begins. The coming year will be... Read more
PALLIATIVE CARE:
Reap the Benefits of an Innovative Palliative Care Approach
Palliative care can follow your patients throughout the health care system. Despite the f... Read more
STAFFING:
Manage Pain and Medication Cost with a Hospice Musician
Could music therapy lower your drug costs? When he began working for Hospice Partners of ... Read more
EDITS:
Check Local Coverage Determination for Organic Brain Syndrome
Is your documentation tanking your claims? Look to Fundraising for Support At least one R... Read more
DOCUMENTATION:
Find Out What it Takes to Write a Good Physician Narrative
Specificity wins over length. Hospices looking for guidance on how physicians should writ... Read more
Industry Notes:
Industry Notes:
You may need to make a change to your hospice claims procedures. Old way: Currently, CMS ... Read more
Avoid Compliance, Reimbursement Pitfalls with These Educational Offerings
Get vital information on these topics from the comfort of your own office: • An U... Read more
BENCHMARKING:
Set Benchmarks Now For a Better Financial Future
Your after hours calls could be sending you a message. Three years from now, you'll be wo... Read more
SURVEYS:
Avoid a Perfect Storm of Survey Deficiencies
Individualized care plans are more important than ever. If your approach to potential com... Read more
CLIP AND SAVE:
Direct Quality Improvement with This Compass
Use this handy chart to direct your quality improvement initiatives. Benchmarking gives y... Read more
JOINT VENTURES:
Exercise Caution in Forming Joint Ventures or Risk Scrutiny
Nursing home/hospice ventures prove especially tricky. Pooling resources with a nursing h... Read more
STUDIES:
Racial Disparities Impact End-of-Life Care
Black patients are more likely to express trust on God's will. Black cancer patients may ... Read more
REPORTS:
OIG Finds Fault with Hospice Claims in Nursing Facilities
Review your form documents to make sure they include these required elements. The Office ... Read more
HOME HEALTH:
You Can Provide Unrelated Home Health Services to Hospice Patients
Find out how to provide services without attracting extra scrutiny. Your hospice patients... Read more
REGULATIONS:
Certify Hospice Patients'Terminal Illnesses With This Form
End guesswork in the physician narrative requirement. If you're struggling to comply with... Read more
BEREAVEMENT:
Bereavement Service Benefits Reach Beyond Caregivers
Innovative programs pay off in publicity. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) r... Read more
Bereavement:
Factor These Facets of Bereavement Care Into Your Programs
Grief programs can lead to hospice process improvement. Hospice-provided bereavement care... Read more
STUDIES:
Update Your Billing Address -- Or Lose Your Rights
CMS instructs MACs to suss out sham health care operations. A favorite tactic of some Med... Read more
CLINICAL CARE:
Cover the Bases for Skin Care to Optimize Comfort, Quality of Life
Including family teaching, pain, odor control, and more in a protocol can help reduce ulc... Read more
COMMUNITY EDUCATION:
Dispel 7 Myths That Give Hospice a bad rap
Tap this list as a roadmap to community education. The good news about even persistent my... Read more
Clinical Care:
Get on the Same Page With Nursing Homes About Wound Care
Cooperation can be a 'win-win' for everyone. The last thing you want to happen is for you... Read more
MARKETING:
Start the Conversation to Get Providers and Consumers Talking About Hospice
One hospice shares what they found works well. The right educational approach can help pr... Read more
REGULATIONS:
Take the Sting Out of New Physician Narrative Requirement
Hospices can get physician buy-in with a few simple strategies. Ready or not, hospices ha... Read more
STUDIES:
STUDIES:
Rich or poor, we're all in the same boat -- socioeconomic status doesn't impact cogn... Read more
MEDICARE:
Hospice Cuts Softened, but Still Pack a Wallop
Feds stretch BNAF phase-out over 7 years. Get ready for a little less money and a little ... Read more
PAYMENT:
Hospice: Using Stand-Alone CTIs Could Save Your Hospice Claims
Don't let this critical bit of info get lost in the shuffle. The federal government might... Read more
Documentation:
Make Sure Your Verbal CTIs Contain These 7 Items
Covering the bases pays off. A valid certification of terminal illness is vital to your c... Read more
COMPLIANCE:
Develop a Best Practice Plan for Managing Additional Development Requests
Here's how to beat claim denials and worse. Mastering ADRs can move your hospice to the h... Read more
Be Aware of New Auditors on the Block
Hint: There are more than RACs in play. A key step to surviving the increasingly complian... Read more
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE:
Revisit How to Get Unused Controlled Drugs Out of the Home
This task is fraught with regulatory and safety concerns. Leaving scheduled meds in a hos... Read more
Technology Can Promote Med Safety in Hospices
Preventing accidental over-dosing or drug diversion can be a challenge for hospice provide... Read more
INDUSTRY NOTES
The FDA has approved Onsolis to treat severe breakthrough pain for cancer patients ages 1... Read more
TOOL:
Follow the Steps in the ADR Process
This handy chart spells it out for you.... Read more
LITIGATION:
Inpatient Care Tops Reviewers' Hospice Hit List
Whistleblower suit shows why your non-routine hospice claims must be squeaky clean. Get r... Read more
LEGAL TRENDS:
Gear Up to Keep Controlled Medications Out of the Wrong Hands
Find out how hospices can have a hand in preventing, addressing drug diversion. Whenever ... Read more
COMPLIANCE:
4 Strategies Protect Your Hospice From Whistleblower Suits
Arkansas hospice slapped with qui tam suit filed by competitor. You may think you've got ... Read more
What Do You Think? Does a Hospice Bear Any Liability for Drug Diversion by Family or Neighbors?
The answer could be yes, if ... A hospice probably cannot be held liable for a third part... Read more
DOCUMENTATION:
Polish Your Hospice GIP Documentation Skills
Make sure your inpatient claims for hospice patients can stand up to tough review. Now's ... Read more
CARE TIP:
Reiki Can Be an Effective Pain Management and Spiritual Aid
Is your hospice incorporating this modality in its toolkit? Opioids remain the gold stand... Read more
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
The wheels of healthcare reform legislation are turning slowly, putting good news and bad... Read more
READER QUESTION:
Is It OK for Hospices to Have HHAs Provide Home Care Services Unrelated to a Hospice Patient's Terminal Illness?
The answer isn't black and white -- here's what your hospice needs to consider, say ... Read more
TRENDS :
Check Out the Legislative Landscape for Hospice and Palliative Care
The messaging appears be on target: Aggressive end-of-life care is a lose-lose propositio... Read more
COMPLIANCE :
Watch Out For New False Claims Rules
What looked like a law cracking down on financial fraud could pack a punch for you. Hospi... Read more
Highlights of the Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2009
The legislation would infuse funding into research, among other perks. Hospice and pallia... Read more
NHPCO Disquieted by MedPAC Provision in Rockefeller Bill
Hint: The provision is also in the proposed annual hospice payment update. At press time,... Read more
PAYMENT :
3 Simple Strategies Help Ensure Your Hospice Pays for the Right Meds
Over-or under-covering meds can cost your hospice. Figuring out which meds your hospice s... Read more
Warning:
Overly Broad Diagnoses Can Inflate Your Medication Tab
Is your hospice using the most appropriate Dx? Evaluating whether patients' terminal diag... Read more
DIAGNOSIS CODING :
Get Ready for 141 New ICD-9 Codes Starting Oct. 1
Some of the new codes may help you with ICD-10. With everything else going on in the hosp... Read more
Coding 202 :
3 TipsWill Keep Your ICD-9 Codes on the Mark
Inaccurate or too generic codes can wreak havoc on your payment if you aren't careful. Gi... Read more
HIPAA COMPLIANCE :
Beware of These 2 HIPAA Changes on the Horizon
Hint: Get ready to revisit your business associate agreements. Brace yourself for a coupl... Read more
Education :
AVOID COMPLIANCE, REIMBURSEMENT PITFALLSWITH THESE EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
Get vital information on these topics from the comfort of your own office: • 5Way... Read more
PAYMENT NOTES :
PAYMENT NOTES :
Good news: One big headache caused by Medicare's new requirement for hospice visit c... Read more
REPORTING :
CMS Finalizes Additional Hospice Claims Data Reporting Mandate
Get the details on the new requirement that hits hospices Jan. 1. Hospices will be glad t... Read more
PAYMENT :
CMS Proposes Hospice Pay Cuts: Buckle Your Seat Belts
Eliminating the BNAF will strip $2.9 billion from hospice payment over 5 years. Hospices ... Read more
DOCUMENTATION :
Physician Headaches to Increase for Hospices
CMS wants more documentation from certifying docs. Get ready for your physicianrelated bu... Read more
TRENDS :
Hospice Payment CutsWill Take Toll on Providers, Services
Small, rural providers to be hit hardest. Hospices should brace for Medicare reimbursemen... Read more
MEDICAL PRIVACY:
Get Hip to Tougher HIPAA Requirements and Enforcement
Hint: Encrypting PHI on laptops may prevent your hospice from ending up on the nightly ne... Read more
Privacy Compliance :
2 HIPAA Tips Help You Stay in the Clear
If you're not doing this, your hospice could be at risk. HIPAA is definitely heating up. T... Read more
INDUSTRY NOTES :
Hospice Cap Changes on Deck
CMS releases 2009 cap amount early. If you're wondering whether you'll have trouble with ... Read more
INDUSTRY NOTES :
Make The Most of the Red Flags Rule Breather
You now have until Aug. 1 to prepare, but you'll need all of that time if you haven't sta... Read more
PAYMENT AND REGULATORY UPDATE:
Hospices Battle Industry Trends as Lawmakers Mull Cuts
CMS also discusses billing changes, new COPs at industry conference. If you're wondering ... Read more
PRIVACY:
Are Red Flags for Identity Theft on Your Risk Management Radar Screen?
Find out where these new requirements fit into the bigger picture. If your hospice thinks... Read more
Reimbursement:
Higher Hospice Payment Rates Now in Pocket
But cuts are still planned. April brought -- well, not showers of extra money for ho... Read more
CLIP AND SAVE:
Check Out the Top 10 Hospice Diagnoses
Most shocking: Non-Alzheimer dementia's dramatic jump in 8 years.... Read more
COMPLIANCE TIP:
GiveYour Billing Systems for Hospice-Related Meds a Check-Up
Expect this issue to catch auditors' attention. If nursing homes bill Medicare, Medicaid,... Read more
Fraud and Abuse:
Find Out What Else Is Catching the Feds' Eye These Days
If you want to avoid hospice audits from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services... Read more
HOSPICE PAYMENT:
Check Out This Rundown of Reimbursement News
Stay in the know to prevent cash flow woes. Here's what's new in the hospice reimbursemen... Read more
COMPLIANCE:
5Ways to Head Off Compliance Problems -- And Lawsuits
How carefully do you listen to your employees' complaints? Whistleblower lawsuits like th... Read more
INDUSTRY NOTES:
Doctor-Patient Conversation Can Lower End-of-Life Expenses
Patients who discuss end-of-life preferences have lower rates of intensive care admission... Read more
LEGISLATION:
Hospices Win Millions in Stimulus Bill
IT funding could also be a perk. Hospices have won back $135 million in Medicare funding ... Read more
PAYMENT COMPLIANCE:
Shore Up Documentation to Support Hospice Eligibility
Take these steps to prevent claim denials, payment recoupment, or worse. The first rule o... Read more
CONTRACTORS:
RHHI-to-MAC Switch Scheduled For May
Two MAC regions are on hold, however. Get ready for some payment shakeups as the new home... Read more
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT:
Know the Goal for Psychoactive Meds to Avoid Survey and Quality-of-Care Problems
Find out why and how to target inappropriate use of sedation. When does a medication for ... Read more
Compliance:
RHHI Gets Tough With Hospice Cancer Claims
Reviewers shoot down claims for certification, terminal prognosis problems. You could win... Read more
COORDINATION OF CARE:
CMS to Nursing Home Surveyors: Report Unresolved Hospice Concerns to Hospice Surveyors
Revised survey guidance for nursing homes includes this directive and more. The Centers f... Read more
COMPLIANCE:
Revised F309 Guidance Spells Out What Nursing Homes and Hospices Should Do for Hospice Residents
Nursing home surveyors now have a specific tag for noncompliance. Hospices aren't the onl... Read more
WHAT DO YOU THINK?When Can a Patient Receive Both Part A SNF Care and Medicare Hospice?
Be careful with this tricky scenario. Question: When can a person legitimately receive bo... Read more
TRENDS:
Hospice Eligibility Is in the Hot Seat
Don't let this compliance issue burn your hospice. There's no shortage of reasons for hos... Read more
INDUSTRY NOTES :
President Obama's Proposed Budget Holds Good News for Hospices
While President Obama's proposed budget for 2010 cuts Medicare funding for some healthcar... Read more
LITIGATION:
Big Hospice Settlement Puts Industry in the Hot Seat
Hospice eligibility and 6-month prognosis focus of successful whistleblower lawsuit. A ho... Read more
TRENDS:
MedPAC Pushes Major Hospice Pay Revamp
Industry unhappy about proposal for abrupt change. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commissi... Read more
Compliance:
When Educating Referral Sources About Hospice,Keep Sight of These Compliance Requirements
Operating within these boundaries can make teaching efforts a boon rather than a bane. St... Read more
REIMBURSEMENT:
Hospices May Need More Details From Doctors
MedPAC also targets 5 hot spots including nursing home relationships. The new recommendat... Read more
RISK MANAGEMENT:
Ramp Up for the RACs: Focus onWhat Could Be 3 Easy Targets
Forewarned is forearmed in dealing with these 'bounty-hunter' auditors. If the RAC progra... Read more
EDUCATION & OUTREACH:
Required Assessment Instruments Hold Key Clues to Who May Be Ready for Palliative Approach
Help nursing home and home health providers use these tools in a new way. Home health and... Read more
Check Out the Personal Severity Index for Nursing Home Patients
• Age 90 or older • Cognitive decision making:severely impaired • Delirium: Periods... Read more
Risk Management:
Stay a Step Ahead of the RACsWith 2 Strategies
Find out how to keep your claims out of RACs' reach. Giving your claims a clean bill of h... Read more
INDUSTRY NOTES:
Don't Delay In ICD-10 Preparation
Health care providers are claiming victory on the ICD-10 implementation schedule, but tha... Read more
Education:
Master Compliance and Reimbursement Topics With These Upcoming Audioconferences
• Providing Continuous Care in Hospice: Should You or Shouldn’t You? Dial in ... Read more
Billing:
Visit Reporting Burden to Get Heavier for Hospices
CMS wants to broaden data collection. Get ready for a lot more work to submit your hospic... Read more
Regulations :
Hospices Fear Repercussions of New Visit Reporting Proposa
Providers want better data, but this proposal may not achieve that aim. The Centers for M... Read more
Survey Management:
Are You Up to Speed on the Interim Final Interpretive Guidance? You Can Bet Surveyors Will Be
Home in on these key areas before surveyors beat you to the task. "Be prepared" is the be... Read more
Use This Checklist for Completing the Comprehensive Assessment
Your hospice may tailor the comprehensive assessment to include a range of information, b... Read more
Coordination Of Care:
Develop a 'Win-Win' Situation With Nursing Homes to Ensure Top-Notch Outcomes
4 strategies can help you -- and the nursing home -- get on the same page. Talk... Read more
Medication Management Tips:
Beware These Caveats When Using Transdermal Fentanyl
This 2-point assessment can stave off problems. Fentanyl patches can be an effective pain... Read more
Industry Notes:
Study Identifies Reasons for Differences Seen in Hospice Use
Researchers suggest a key change to the hospice benefit. White patients are more likely t... Read more
Management:
IRS Pumps Up Collection Efforts: Beware Agency's New Powers
Don't let this catch you off guard. If you owe back taxes, the IRS can now come calling ... Read more
Available Years:  2009  2008