Tag Archives: reimbursement
Get the Skinny on ICD-9 Symptom Coding
Posted on 12. May, 2010 by jan.mater.
Read sequencing instructions to catch exceptions to the symptom coding rule.
You’ve heard it said before: Don’t code the symptom when you have a definitive diagnosis. But even when you keep this general guideline in mind, symptoms can still trip…
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Hospices Turn to Health Law for Hope
Posted on 12. May, 2010 by jan.mater.
Ten-million-dollar cut in Medicare reimbursements may trigger reduced services.
Despite the hard-hitting $10 million decrease in Medicare reimbursements this year, hospice and palliative care facilities clung to the recently passed health bill for some hope. The bill reduced the cut…
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Sneak a Peek at New 2011 ICD-9 Codes for Home Care
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by jan.mater.
Welcome new pneumonia, fluencey disorder, and cystostomy complication codes.
It’s that time of year — the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has unveiled the proposed changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment systems, giving us the first look at…
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Bone Up on OASIS C To Boost Your Home Health Coding Career
Posted on 21. Apr, 2010 by jan.mater.
Combine correct coding with OASIS C accuracy for maximum payoff.
With all the focus on OASIS C process measures and communication requirements, accurate coding can get lost in the shuffle. Now more than ever, it’s important to accurately document all…
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Health Care Reform Brings Changes to Rural Add-on, Outlier Calculations
Posted on 21. Apr, 2010 by jan.mater.
Pay for performance is on the horizon.
The biggest home care cuts in the recently enacted health care reform package are years away, but other reductions and burdensome requirements will hit next year.
The good news: The 3 percent rural…
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Use This New Code For Home Health Transfers
Posted on 17. Feb, 2010 by .
Say goodbye to claims source of admission codes ‘B’ and ‘C.’
Patient transfers from one home health agency to another can be tricky, and now transfers might get even more complicated with a new billing requirement.
Come July, CMS is…
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Home Health PPS 2010 Final Rule: 2 Percent Market Basket Update
Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by .
Tis the season for red leaves, red tape.
We’ve got the link that gives you a preview before the rule hits the Federal Register.
It’s that time of year again. The fall…
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Home Health Coding: Gather Details for COPD Case Mix Points
Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by sanjay.aikat.
Question: Your 82-year-old patient lives alone and has a history of falls. He was admitted to home care for severe pain due to osteoarthritis in bilateral knees. You will be providing physical therapy and skilled nursing. He also has a…
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5 Fixes For Cost Report Breakdowns
Posted on 14. Oct, 2009 by .
Busted-up cost reports will wreck industry-wide havoc on home health reimbursement, so now’s the time to get your cost report engine purring smoothly.
Consultant Tom Boyd with Rohnert Park, Calif.-based Boyd & Nicholas offers these 5 tips for cost report…
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HHA Reimbursement: You Can Bill Auto Insurance For Patient Services
Posted on 09. Sep, 2009 by .
But take this step to avoid angry patients.
Scenario: Your home care patient is in an auto accident that leaves her in a wheelchair for an unspecified period of time. Her auto insurance — not her medical insurance — will foot the bill…
