SNAP SHOT
COVID-19 Resource Center
HOME HEALTH and HOSPICE: CMS updated its COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers, NAHC, May 10, 2020 – Late May 8, 2020 CMS updated its COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers document with welcome changes for home health agencies and hospices. CMS expanded the types of therapists able to perform the initial and comprehensive assessment for all home health patients to include PTs and SLPs in addition to OTs for the duration of the PHE, regardless of whether or not the service establishes eligibility for the patient to be receiving home care. CMS also expanded the waivers of the Life Safety Code pertaining to hospice inpatient units, specifically alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers, fire drills and temporary construction sections of the LSC.
HOME HEALTH and HOSPICE: New IRS Guidance Eliminates all Tax Benefits of PPP Loan Forgiveness, NAHC Report, A special report from Ted Cuppett of The Health Group, May 7, 2020 – The IRS has released guidance (Notice 2020-32) to explain that a taxpayer that receives a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is not permitted to deduct expenses that are normally deductible under the Code, to the extent the expenses were reimbursed by a PPP loan that was then forgiven. This Notice would effectively eliminate all the tax benefits to employers that were provided for in the CARES Act.
HOME HEALTH and HOSPICE: CARES Act Funding Update: HHS Release of Long-Awaited FAQs on Provider Relief Fund General Distribution, NHPCO COVID-19 Update, May 7, 2020 – On May 7, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released long-awaited FAQs on Provider Relief Fund General Distribution. In the release, HHS announced that “Generally, HHS does NOT intend to recoup funds as long as a provider’s lost revenue and increased expenses exceed the amount of Provider Relief funding a provider has received.”
HOME HEALTH and HOSPICE: HHS announces the Deadline Extension to 45 Days for Signing the Attestation for the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund , NHPCO COVID-19 Update, May 7, 2020 – HHS announced they have extended the deadline for healthcare providers to attest to receipt of payments from the Provider Relief Fund and accept the Terms and Conditions. Providers will now have 45 days, increased from 30 days, from the date a provider received a payment to attest and accept the Terms and Conditions or return the funds. HHS used an example: the initial 30-day deadline for providers who received payment on April 10, 2020 is extended to May 24, compared to the old deadline of May 9, 2020. If payment is not returned within 45 days of receipt, the payment will be viewed as acceptance of the Terms and Conditions.
HOME HEALTH and HOSPICE: CDC/HRSA Provider Relief Fund Allocations Posted, NHPCO COVID-19 UPDATE, May 7, 2020 – On May 7, 2020, the dataset was released with the list of providers who received a payment and the amount of the payment from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. This list includes all providers who have attested to the payments and agreed to the Terms and Conditions. The list is up to date as of May 4, 2020.
HOME HEALTH and HOSPICE: Health Care Supply Chain, Provider Self-Care, and Emergency Preparedness Resources, CMS MLN Connects, May 7, 2020 – The most recent Express from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) highlights recently developed resources, including:
For More Information:
>>>RCD/PDGM UPDATES –
PDGM/RCD WEEKLY CALL UPDATES – ON HOLD
AT THIS TIME OCHCH IS NOT SCHEDULING ANY WEEKLY PDGM/RCD CALLS.
If you have PDGM or RCD QUESTIONS PLEASE SEND THEM TO helpdesk@ochch.org
Use PDGM or RCD as the subject title.
If you need OCHCH to contact Palmetto GBA regarding a PCR NON-AFFIRMATION,
Please e-mail a short description and the UTN and your provider number.
DO NOT e-mail any info that could be non-compliant with the HIPAA regulations
Please check out the toolkits for PDGM and also RCD!
>>>RCD UPDATES –
NEW: Option to Stay in PCR, Palmetto GBA – For Home Health providers participating in the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD), you will now have the option to keep Pre-Claim Review (PCR) as your review choice for future cycles. This will avoid having to reselect PCR for each selection cycle. Providers can withdraw from this option and still change to another review choice in a future cycle.
New: RCD Tip: PCR Task Signed Documentation, Palmetto GBA – The Medical Review (MR) team has noticed an increased number of providers in Pre-Claim Review (PCR) who are submitting documentation (plan of care, therapy orders, etc.) that are not signed. As a reminder, for tasks 1 through 4, a signature is required. Documents submitted without a proper physician signature will result in a non-affirmation. Oral orders must be countersigned and dated by the physician before the home health agency submits the final bill.
We Are Going Green with RCD Cycle Results eLetters, Palmetto GBA – Palmetto GBA is going green with RCD Cycle Results eLetters. We will send home health agencies their RCD Cycle Results via eLetter in eServices. Please review and share with your staff.
RCD Tip: Using the Correct Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN), Palmetto GBA – If you are a part of a Home Health Agency (HHA) with more than one location and multiple PTANs, please make sure you are using the correct PTAN when submitting Pre-claim Review (PCR) requests.
RCD for Ohio’s Home Health Services Has Been PAUSED
Ohio Providers Transition to Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) Cycle Two, Palmetto GBA – Beginning May 1, 2020, you will be able to choose the next round’s review option. Typically, the selection period is open for a two-week period. Due to the current Public Health Emergency (PHE) related to COVID-19, the last day to make a selection has not yet been determined. Palmetto GBA will announce the last day to make a selection as soon as possible on their website and via email update. If you are not signed up for the Palmetto GBA email updates, please visit https://tinyurl.com/GetListserv to sign up.
|