Compliance Monitor (11/12/2024)
CHAP is always seeking resources and insights to enhance the knowledge of partners and customers.
Be sure to download CHAP’s compliance calendars for home health and hospice.
Top Items
Enhancing Hospice Oversight and Transparency Act Introduced
Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Enhancing Hospice Oversight and Transparency Act on 11/1/2024. This legislation aims to delay the implementation of the CMS Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP). This would allow time to correct its current flawed design that creates a high risk of failing to identify poor-performing hospices that should be subject to increased oversight and put patients and families at risk.
CMS Leadership National Call Update (November 20, 2024)
Please join the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, and her leadership team, who will provide an update on CMS’ recent accomplishments and how our cross-cutting initiatives are advancing the CMS Strategic Plan. Our fourth and final CMS Leadership National Call Update in 2024 will provide a more in-depth look at our recent policy announcements and an opportunity to learn how you can partner with us to help implement our Strategic Plan and key initiatives.
When: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM (ET) – 3:00 PM (ET)
What: CMS Leadership National Call Update
RSVP: Click HERE
Hospice Updates
Now Available – HQRP Quarterly Q&A for Quarter 3
The HQRP Quarterly Q&A for Q3, 2024 is now available. This Q&A includes selected questions received by the Hospice Quality Help Desk during the third quarter of 2024 (July 1 to Sept. 30). Click HERE to access the Q&A.
This issue contains Q&As about the HOPE assessment tool.
Home Health Updates
Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1803-F)
On November 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) final rule, which updates Medicare payment policies and rates for Home Health Agencies (HHAs). This rule also updates the intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) items and services’ payment rate for CY 2025 for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers.
Quality Reporting Program: Non-Compliance Letters for CY 2025 APU for Home Health Agencies
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing notifications to home health agencies that were determined to be out of compliance with the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQRP) requirements for calendar year (CY) 2025 Annual Payment Update (APU). Non-compliance notifications will be distributed by the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and will be placed into Home Health Agencies (HHA) My Reports folders in iQIES on October 21, 2024. HHA’s that receive a letter of non-compliance may submit a request for reconsideration to CMS via email no later than 11:59 pm, November 27, 2024. If you receive a notice of non-compliance and would like to request a reconsideration, see the instructions in your notification and on the Home Health Quality Reporting Reconsideration and Exception & Extension webpage.
DME Updates
Medicare Provider Compliance Tips — Revised
Learn what’s changed. CMS updated the improper payment rate and denial reasons for the 2023 reporting period and added new tips about:
- Orthopedic Footwear
- Permanent Cardiac Pacemaker Implant
- Suction Pumps
- Wheelchair Seating
All Provider Updates
Comprehensive Error Rate Testing Medical Record Requests: Respond Timely
You’re required to respond in a timely manner to Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) requests for medical records. Read the latest message (PDF) from the CERT A/B MAC Education Task Force.
HHS Finalizes Physician Payment Rule Strengthening Person-Centered Care and Health Quality Measures
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced it is finalizing new policies in the calendar year (CY) 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule to strengthen primary care, expand access to preventive services, and further access to whole-person care for services such as behavioral health, oral health, and caregiver training.
Telehealth
CMS is continuing to permit certain practitioners to provide direct supervision via a virtual presence of auxiliary personnel, when required, virtually through immediate availability via real-time, audio-video technology. CMS is also finalizing temporary extensions to allow teaching physicians to be present virtually when they furnish telehealth services involving residents in teaching settings.
Provider Information on Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training — Revised
CMS clarified telehealth billing requirements (PDF).
CMS Announces Third and Final Cohort of States Participating in the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model
October 28: CMS announced the third and final Cohort of states to participate in the states Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. Rhode Island and a sub-state region of New York join Maryland and Vermont, Cohort 1 states, and Connecticut and Hawaii, Cohort 2 states, announced in July of this year. Under the AHEAD Model, CMS and participating states will work collaboratively to curb health care cost growth, improve population health through investments in primary care, and advance health equity by addressing disparities in health outcomes. States will have the opportunity to receive up to $12 million to support the model implementation activities over the course of the first five to six years of the model.
Register Now for the CMS Optimizing Healthcare Delivery Conference!
CMS hopes you’ll plan to join us in five weeks for the 2024 CMS Optimizing Healthcare Delivery to Improve Patient Lives Conference. This free, virtual conference will convene change makers from the healthcare community and federal government to share new ideas, lessons learned, and best practices to reduce administrative burden and strengthen access to quality care.
They are pleased to announce that Dr. Jonathan Perlin, President and CEO of The Joint Commission, will deliver this year’s keynote address at the conference. Dr. Perlin is one of a number of engaging speakers planned for the day. You can see more, as well as register, here.
Join on December 12, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM ET.
Save the Date: CMS Quality Conference Returns in March 2025
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2025 Quality Conference: Elevating Quality — Advancing Optimal Health for Individuals, Families, Caregivers, Clinicians, and Communities!
Save the Date: March 17-19, 2025, at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor
Registration (in-person and virtual) and hotel room blocks will open on February 2, 2025.
Get ready to collaborate in person, enhance your knowledge, and be part of a passionate community paving the way to quality healthcare. Seats for the in-person conference are limited.
