Bulletin: April 28th, 2020

ODM Developing an Emergency Rule so NPs, CNSs, & PAs Can Order Home Health Services!
By Beth Foster, RN, BA, CPHQ, CEHCH

• NPs, CNSs, & PAs Readiness check off list:
  • Within scope of practices
  • Approved for Medicare Beneficiaries
  • Education on Medicare Certified Home Health Agency Coverage Regulations: OCHCH presented Webinar to NPs on April 22 
    • “Certifying Patients for the Medicare Home Health Benefit” (MLN SE1436)
       
• Plan to finish checkoff list:
  • GOOD NEWS: Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is addressing Plans of Care and Certifying/Recertifying Patient Eligibility by NPs, CNSs, and PAs in an emergency rule package that is being prepared!!! Stay Tuned!
  • Provide more education webinars with NPs, CNSs, and PAs
  • Contact other payer sources to determine if accepting orders from Non-Physician Practioners (NPPs) & create a list to share with members;
  • HHAs should ask other payers if they are following the Medicare coverage regulations to allow Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Physician Assistant order home health services, and establish and manage the Plan of Care.

At this time, this means NPPs could at least start with individuals on Medicare and other payer sources in having the Primary Care Practitioners (PCP = NP, CNS, PA) certify eligibility for the home health benefits and to establish and manage the Plan of Care. 

Right now this is a temporary change, however this will be permanent as soon as CMS develops rules/regulations that are required to be in place within 6 months or less from the passing of the CARES Act.

OCHCH will share the emergency rule as soon as we receive it!

By Beth Foster, RN, BA, CPHQ, CEHCH