CMS Releases the 2020 Home Health Final Rule
CMS issued a final rule that finalizes routine updates to the home health payment rates for 2020. This rule also includes: a modification to the payment regulations pertaining to the …
Insights and News
Updated Information on Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) Filing Period
An important update for all Massachusetts employers from Mass Tax Connect: “Update on the correct dates for the HIRD filing for 2019 We recently sent out a notice to you …
US House Passes Important Hospice Bill
The House of Representatives has passed the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA). The bill will now move on to the Senate. PCHETA would increase the number …
2019 HIRD Reporting Requirement for Massachusetts Employers
Massachusetts state law requires every employer with six or more employees to annually submit a HIRD (Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure) form. If you are an employer who currently has (or …
Health Plan Identifier Final Rule Release
HHS has announced a new rule, eliminating several regulatory requirements related to HIPAA. Health plans are no longer required to obtain and use a health plan identifier (HPID) and eliminates the …
Important Update: RAP Overpayment Demand Letters!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM PALMETTO FOR HOME HEALTH PROVIDERS: “As of October 1, 2019, due to the implementation of CR 10776, Home Health Agencies (HHAs) may have received a demand letter …
CMS Delays Primary Care First Until 2021
CMS has delayed the start of Primary Care First Until 2021. The program was originally scheduled to begin next year. Primary Care First is a set of voluntary five-year payment model …
OIG: Nursing Home Complaints Increased in 2018
OIG has published an interactive map that displays details on nursing home complaint trends in 2018. 6,540 high-priority grievances that were not investigated within the required 10-day period, which equals a 23% increase. …
Review Choice Demonstration for Texas is Delayed Until March 2, 2020
From CMS’ Review Choice Demonstration website: To allow Home Health agencies to transition to the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), which becomes effective on January 1, 2020, CMS is rescheduling the …
Healthcare.gov Premiums Are Down, but Are Still Unaffordable for Many
CMS announced that the average premium for the second lowest cost silver plan on HealthCare.gov for a 27 year-old will drop by 4 percent for the 2020 coverage year. Additionally, …