Volume 24.12
On August 7, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued guidance regarding the termination of the VBID Hospice Component. The guidance is available at CY2024 VBID-Hospice Technical and Operational Guidance (cms.gov).
The guidance addresses:
- Operations and claims.
- Financial responsibility for care during and after a hospice election.
- Network adequacy.
- Transitional concurrent care.
- Hospice supplemental benefits.
- Palliative care.
- Monitoring and data collection.
The services rendered and hospice experience of the patient while participating in VBID will not be considered in the hospice CAP calculations.
INCREASED RESPITE CARE BENEFIT
There is significant interest in increasing the availability of the respite care benefit to include respite care services at home and under other circumstances. The payment of a revised, increased respite care benefit in other than a nursing home environment poses several payment related implications, including the potential applicability of the inpatient CAP, which rarely imposes a payment restriction on hospices. The potentials for respite care expansion are discussed in draft legislation available here.
The Health Group will be providing further information on the potential reimbursement modifications associated with the coverage of such services beyond the current routine home care payment rates. These will be discussed in detail at our upcoming educational program in Phoenix.
EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT ENDING ON UPCOMING CONFERENCE
The agenda has been set for the 2024 Hospice Financial Administration Conference. The program, scheduled for September 30 – October 1, 2024, will be held at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. Early registration ends on August 10, 2024.
Special rates have been secured with the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort; however, to secure these rates, call (602) 866-7500 and inform the hotel that you are attending “The Health Group, LLC Hospice Financial Administration Conference” or, more conveniently, secure your room online at https://book.passkey.com/event/50849453/owner/3244/landing.
Many benefits have been secured for conference attendees. If you have any problems securing your room at the discounted rates, do not hesitate to contact us at contact@healthgroup.com.
Speakers include professionals of The Health Group, LLC, Melinda Gaboury, co-founder and CEO of Healthcare Provider Solutions, Inc., and Bryan S. Bailey, Shareholder with Milligan Lawless (Phoenix office) who practices in healthcare fraud and abuse. Registration and other information are available at https://healthgroup.com/education/. We look forward to seeing you in Phoenix.