Volume 22.01
Home health agencies no longer submit Requests for Anticipated Payment (“RAP”) at the start of a home health episode of care. Effective January 1, 2022, agencies submit a Notice of Admission (“NOA”). The Manual has been updated to reflect “MACs may identify instances where an HHA’s use of NOAs indicates potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Upon identifying misuse of NOAs, the MAC shall initiate corrective action.”
Corrective action, according to CMS, can include everything from warnings to requiring the submission of a Corrective Action Plan (“CAP”), and even a referral to the Unified Program Integrity Contractor (“UPIC”). The updated Manual is available at r11218pi.pdf (cms.gov).
OASIS-E DRAFT UPDATED
As finalized in the CY 2022 Home Health Rule, OASIS-E will be implemented on January 1, 2023, delayed due to the COVID-19 PHE. The updated draft of OASIS-E is available at OASIS Data Sets | CMS or Outcome Assessment Information Set Version E (OASIS-E) (cms.gov) The form is not final until approval is received by the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”).
PREPARE THE HOME HEALTH AGENCY COST REPORT EARLY
On October 1, 2020, CMS released the new Home Health Agency Cost Report, which was effective for cost reporting years beginning on or after January 1, 2020. Many agencies had difficulty in securing the data required for the filing in 2020. We encourage agencies to begin preparing the 2021 report early or get data to those responsible for preparation early to better address the difficulties encountered due to the new forms. Currently, no filing date extension, as experienced in the last two (2) years, has been announced. Accordingly, December 31, 2021 filings should be expected to be submitted on or before May 31, 2022. Forms and instructions are available here.
THE HEALTH GROUP TO EXHIBIT AT NAHC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
The Health Group, LLC will be attending and exhibiting at the 2022 National Association for Home Care & Hospice’s Financial Management Conference on July 24-26, 2022. The Program will be at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The Financial Management Conference provides attendees with quality financial and management education directed at home health agencies, hospices, and private duty (personal care) providers. Additionally, attendees can meet personally with vendors representing financial, clinical, billing, and other consulting and support services.
Registration for attendees is not yet available; however, details, as available, are here. We hope to see you there. If you want to schedule a time to meet with us while in Las Vegas, please email us at contact@healthgroup.com. Additionally, The Health Group, LLC has already planned to exhibit at the NAHC Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo scheduled for October 23-25, 2022, in St. Louis, Missouri.