Volume 23.07
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) is releasing information on the ownership of over 6,000 hospices and 11,0000 home health agencies certified to participate in the Medicare program on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) website.
DHHS is touting the availability of this information as transparency when making decisions about hospice and home health services. According to DHHS, “Shining a light on ownership data is good for families, good for researchers, and good for enforcement agencies.”
The disclosure of ownership information is in addition to the following:
- In April 2022, CMS released data publicly on mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, and changes of ownership from 2016-2022 for hospitals and nursing homes enrolled in Medicare.
- In September, CMS released additional data publicly on the ownership of approximately 15,000 nursing homes certified as a Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility, regardless of any change in ownership, including providing more detailed information about organizational owners of nursing homes.
- In December, CMS released detailed information on the ownership of more than 7,000 hospitals certified to participate in the Medicare program.
DHHS and CMS have placed significant focus on program and provider integrity as evidenced by recent efforts, including proposed and final rules. Ownership is a critical element of any integrity effort. Data is available through Home Page – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Data (cms.gov).
REGISTRATIONS FOR THE HEALTH GROUP CONFERENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED NEXT WEEK
The Health Group, LLC will be accepting registrations for the 2023 Hospice Financial Management and Administration Conference next week. The program will be held at Lago Mar Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 9-10, 2023. For 2023 we are focusing on prospective financial and compliance issues of hospices, while still addressing retrospective reporting issues. This is especially important now as CMS and federal legislators are focusing on integrity as evidenced by the proposed rules for FY2024.
We are encouraging anyone who expects to attend to make room reservations at their earliest opportunity. The Lago Mar Beach Resort will sell out for the days of our conference. Special rates have been secured with the Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club; however, to secure these rates, call (855) 829-2923 and inform the hotel that you are attending “The Health Group, LLC Hospice Financial Administration Conference” or online here.
When making reservations online, go to reservations, click on group code, and enter 2311THEHEA. Select the dates you will be staying, even if the dates are indicated as not available, select them and your room type. All attendees are being offered Executive One Bedroom Suites at $235/night. Resort fees have been waived for our attendees. If you have a problem, please call the hotel. The hotel is making the $235/night available for three (3) days prior and three (3) days after the program dates.
Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the program.