Jon Pritchett Pharm.D., RPh., Associate Director of Pharmacy
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), “As of January 30, 2019, there are no active Medicare Provider Enrollment Moratoria in any State or U.S. territories.” CMS announced Wednesday that the provider enrollment moratoria on home health agencies in Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and Florida have expired. The notice from CMS can be read here.
In a recent press release, Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) announced its approval by the Maryland Department of Health, to perform accreditation surveys in lieu of ongoing state licensure surveys for Home Health agencies and Hospices, in accordance with state law.
Today, January 13, 2018, is the day for which all home health agencies have been preparing since CMS finalized the first major revision to the Medicare Home Health Conditions of Participation (CoPs) in more than 20 years. Today, these new CoPs officially go into effect and all home health agencies that bill Medicare must be in full compliance.
With more than 500 initial licensure applications pending approval in California, home health agencies are being forced to wait up to two years before receiving their license. To help combat this delay, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has given home health agencies the option of working with a CMS-deemed accreditation organization to obtain an initial licensure survey. CDPH is encouraging home health agencies to take advantage of this new option in order to expedite their licensure approval process.
On Behalf of ACHC, the Remington Report interviewed Kim Bradley, Sentara Enterprises, to get insights into the changing healthcare environment and how her organization is handling the challenges. For more than a decade, Sentara has been ranked as one of the nation's top integrated healthcare systems. Their not-for-profit system includes advanced imaging centers, nursing and assisted-living centers, outpatient campuses, physical therapy and rehabilitation services, home health and hospice agency, a 3,800-provider medical staff and four medical groups.
November is National Home Care & Hospice Month, and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) theme for this year is “It’s about how you live!”
On January, 9, 2017, CMS finalized the first major revision to the Medicare Home Health Conditions of Participation (CoPs) in more than 20 years. The implementation date for these new CoPs is January 13, 2018 and the phase-in date for Performance Improvement Projects is July 13, 2018, with all other QAPI requirements effective January 13, 2018.
PCAB-accredited Pharmacy Specialties & Clinic of Sioux Falls, SD, achieved an additional recognition in September when it became the first to receive ACHC’s new Distinction in Hazardous Drug Handling (HDH).
Managing Change: An Interview with Teresa Gregory, Corporate Director of Medical Services of America
The Remington Report interviewed Teresa Gregory, Corporate Director of Medical Services of America on behalf of Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). Medical Services of America is a comprehensive home healthcare provider that offers home healthcare provider that offers home healthcare, hospice care, home medical equipment and supplies, diabetic supplies, respiratory services, mail order supplies, home infusion therapy, enteral nutrition therapy, senior/assisted living, full service pharmacy, physician practice management, and billing and printing services.
