I didn't know this until I viewed the requirements for my own re-licensure. I thought I'd pass it along. https://hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/texas-human-trafficking-resource-center/health-care-practitioner-human-trafficking-training ..read more

Per this notice from the OIG today... "OIG is conducting significant oversight work assessing telehealth services during the public health emergency." Is your agency documenting medical necessity for hospice care in its telehealth visits ..read more

CMS has issued new Interpretive Guidelines for nursing homes which will be implemented on November 28th. Regarding the use of anti-psychotic medications, it states "PRN orders for anti-psychotic drugs are limited to 14 days and cannot be renewed unless the attending physician or prescribing practitioner evaluates the resident." The required evaluation before writing a new PRN order entails a DIRECT examination. Please visit this link to read the entire document ..read more

According to 42 CFR 418.24(d), a hospice beneficiary waives all rights to Medicare payments for any services that are related to the treatment of the terminal condition for which hospice care was elected or treatment of a related condition or treatment that is equivalent to hospice care. Excepted are those services provided by another hospice under arrangement or by an independent attending physician. The hospice agency assumes responsibility for medical care related to the beneficiary’s terminal illness and related conditions. When a service that is related to the hospice patient’s terminal ..read more

Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidelines See it ,here ..read more

Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the use of Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (AICDs). An AICD is a device that uses electrical pulses or shocks to control life-threatening arrhythmias. Terminally ill patients face the risk of AICD shocks during the dying process, which may be inconsistent with the hospice patient’s wishes and cause significant distress to both patients and caregivers. This was highlighted by NBC News in a story that aired recently, called “Defibrillator Implants Can Interfere with Peaceful Death.” The role of the hospice agency ..read more

Having a Hospice Compliance Program isn’t as daunting as it may seem. The OIG has recommended seven elements to guide agencies in the development of their program, knowing that one model isn’t suitable to every hospice. The elements can be tailored to fit your agency. Following the seven elements, I have provided practical, operational activities that will help you begin developing your program. Seven Elements 1. Development and distribution of written standards of conduct, as well as written policies and procedures, which promote the hospice’s commitment to compliance and address specific ar ..read more

CMS has prepared a public data set, the Hospice Utilization and Payment Public Use File (PUF), with information on services provided to Medicare beneficiaries by hospice providers. The Hospice PUF contains information on utilization, payment (Medicare payment and standard payment), submitted charges, primary diagnoses, sites of service, and hospice beneficiary demographics organized by CMS Certification Number and state. The Hospice PUF contains two tables: 1) aggregated information by provider, 2) aggregated information by state. Access the PUF here ..read more

Beginning January 2016 two new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for Advance Care Planning (ACP) became effective. Here’s what your hospice agency needs to know: The New Codes 99497 Advance care planning including the explanation and discussion of advance directives such as standard forms (with completion of such forms, when performed), by the physician or other qualified health care professional; first 30 minutes, face-to-face with the patient, family member(s), and/or surrogate. Non-facility payment is approximately $85.99. Facility payment is approximately $79.54*. 99498 Advance c ..read more

Dehydration is common at the end of life. Many patients and families are understandably concerned when this occurs. It is normal to believe that fluid intake can improve overall health and well-being, but this is not always true in a hospice patient. Most people are surprised to learn that the natural process of dehydration at the end of life produces many positive effects. It is often the task of the hospice team to educate patients and families about this process. “Medically provided hydration is viewed in law and ethics as a medical treatment, which means that, like other medical treatment ..read more