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Issue 47, December 16, 2013

• This Issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider breaks down what your agency needs to know about the Home Health...

• Understand how the new HHCCN and ABN forms capture essential information

  On December 9 home health agencies were required to begin using the Home Health Change of Care...

• Q: How long will HHABNs issued prior to the deadline remain in effect for ongoing services?

  Q: How long will HHABNs issued prior to the deadline remain in effect for ongoing services?

Issue 46, December 9, 2013

• This Issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider focuses on insomnia and reminds providers to recognize the...

• Understand the different types of insomnia and treat patients effectively

  As providers focus on addressing a patient’s primary condition, it may be easy to overlook...

• Q: What are some behavioral techniques to promote healthy sleeping habits?

  Q: What are some behavioral techniques I can share with my patients to promote healthy sleeping...

Issue 45, December 2, 2013

• This Issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider breaks down what your agency needs to know about the home health...

• CMS Issues Home Health PPS Final Rule for 2014

  On Friday, November 22, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued CMS-1450-F, a...

• Q: Can you provide any tips for what my agency needs to be aware of when reviewing the ICD-10 draft case-mix codes?

  Q: There is a lot to keep track of with the ICD-10 code changes in the 2014 final rule for home...

• Don't Miss Beacon Health's 2014 Home Health PPS Final Rule Analysis Webcast

  Each year providers face big changes, and 2014 will be no different. Agencies must understand the...

Issue 44, November 25, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider focuses on lung cancer awareness and highlights resources for...

• Promote Lung Cancer Awareness

  November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and while November 21 was the Great American Smokeout...

• Q: What special considerations should I give to lung cancer patients I work with during the winter season?

  Q: What special considerations should I give to lung cancer patients I work with during the winter...

• Get the Latest Home Health Aide On-the-Go In-service Series!

  Every year, home health aides must satisfy 12 hours of in-service training. With today’s...

Issue 43, November 18, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider highlights important questions for providers to review that help...

• Do You Have a Complete Understanding of How ICD-10 Will Impact Your Agency?

  In order to be fully prepared for the October 1, 2014, ICD-10 transition, you need to know exactly...

• Q: We have a new coder working with our agency, what steps should we highlight for accurate coding?

  Q: We have a new coder working with our agency, and it would be great to give them a step-by-step...

• Don't Miss Beacon Health's ICD-10 Coding Webcast Series: Sign up today!

  Are you looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to prepare your agency for the ICD-10...

Issue 42, November 11, 2013

• This Issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider focuses on defining homebound status and gives providers the most...

• Defining "Confined to Home"

  On October 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Change Request (CR...

• Q: I find that my newer staff struggle to understand what medical necessity really means? Can you help provide some clarity?

  Q: I find that my newer staff struggle to understand what medical necessity really means? Can you...

• The Homecare Administrator's Field Guide

  The Homecare Administrator’s Field Guide is a must-have resource for new and veteran...

Issue 41, November 4, 2013

• This Issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider reminds homecare staff of the importance of effectively monitoring...

• Encourage Staff and Patients to Stay Dedicated to Diabetes Management

  November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to remind your staff of...

• Q: Now that it is the first week of November, when can we expect CMS to release the CY 2014 Home Health Prospective Payment System final rule?

  Q: Now that it is the first week of November, when can we expect CMS to release the CY 2014 Home...

• Beacon Institute Membership has a fresh new look!

  Are you looking to be a part of a community of homecare providers? Would you like to receive...

Issue 40, October 28, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider encourages homecare staff to recognize the important connection...

• Recognizing the connection between pain and depression

  Although some estimates of major depression in older people living in the community range from less...

• Q: Are there key times during patient care that staff should actively look for signs of pain?

  Q: Not all of our homecare patients openly express when they are feeling pain. Are there key times...

• Beacon Institute Membership has a fresh new look!

  Are you looking to be a part of a community of homecare providers? Would you like to receive...

Issue 39, October 21, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider focuses on quality improvement, and encourages agencies to consider...

• When it comes to quality, don?t forget who your customers are!

  Homecare patients may be an agency’s main customer, but they certainly aren’t the only...

• When it comes to quality, don't forget who your customers are!

  Homecare patients may be an agency’s main customer, but they certainly aren’t the only...

• Q: Which staff members should we be sure to include in our QAPI committee and what should their responsibilities be?

  Q: Quality improvement is a continued focus in our agency, and we want to ensure that we have the...

• Improve Therapy Documentation Today!

  Looking for ways to improve you therapy documentation today? The How-to Guide to Home Health...

Issue 38, October 14, 2013

• This Issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider focuses on liver cancer awareness, and reminds staff of the risk...

• October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month

  Liver cancer sufferers may not have symptoms until the cancer is advanced, making it hard to...

• Q: What are some tips I can share with my staff about caring for chemotherapy patients?

  Q: Treating patients who are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment can be challenging...

• Improve Therapy Documentation Today!

  Looking for ways to improve you therapy documentation today? The How-to Guide to Home Health...

Issue 37, October 7, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider highlights the importance of educating patients about the...

• Now is the Time to Prepare for Flu Season!

  The Influenza (flu) season is here, and it is vital that providers not only encourage patients to...

• Don’t Miss Beacon Health’s Upcoming Webcasts: Sign up today!

  Looking for a cost-effective, monthly in-service for your entire staff? Check out the latest...

Issue 36, September 30, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider focuses on the recently released final rule which requires home...

• Final Rule Provides Minimum Wage and Overtime Protection to Home Health Workers

  On September 17, the United States Department of Labor issued a final rule mandating that home...

• Q: As a new homecare administrator, what should I be aware of in regard to employment laws?

  Q: As a new homecare administrator, what should I be aware of in regard to employment laws? How...

• Q: How can we educate our patients on the importance of receiving the flu vaccine every year?

  How can we educate our patients on the importance of receiving this vaccine every year?

• Don’t Miss Beacon Health’s Upcoming Webcasts: Sign up today!

  Looking for a cost-effective, monthly in-service for your entire staff? Check out the latest Beacon...

Issue 35, September 23, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider focuses on changes to the Home Health Advanced Beneficiary Notice...

• CMS Issues Changes to Home Health Beneficiary Notices

  On September 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two change requests...

• Q: Could you provide clarification regarding whether or not it is required to complete a basic skills check on all home health aides each year?

  Q: As the year end approaches, could you provide clarification regarding whether or not it is...

• Take our survey: Give us your feedback and win!

  What keeps you up at night? What are your biggest education and training concerns for this year and...

Issue 34, September 16, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider highlights how you can share your feedback and concerns regarding...

• Take our survey: Give us your feedback and win!

  What keeps you up at night? What are your biggest education and training concerns for this year and...

• Q: What strategies can I share with my staff members to help alleviate stress while trying to manage unique or challenging patient situations?

  Q: Working with homecare patients can be complex and stressful at times. Not only must our staff...

• Beacon Health's Fall Webcast Series

  Looking for a cost-effective, monthly in-service for your entire staff? Check out the new Beacon...

Issue 33, September 9, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• OIG recommends more frequent hospice recertification surveys

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• Q: Our agency is still scratching our head over the new therapy functional reporting G-codes and modifiers.Can you provide some guidance and resources?

  Q: Our agency is still scratching our head over the new therapy functional reporting G-codes and...

• Beacon Health's Fall Webcast Series

  Looking for a cost-effective, monthly in-service for your entire staff? Check out the new Beacon...

Issue 32, August 26, 2013

• In This Issue of Homecare Insider

  We are reaching the peak of the 2013 hurricane season, and predictions indicate 9-15 additional...

• Are You Prepared for Hurricane Season?

  Don’t be fooled by the seemingly mild start to the 2013 hurricane season which began June 1...

• Q: My staff members would like to remind patients and caregivers of the benefit of having an emergency kit in their home. What are some of the key items that we can suggest to include in these kits?

  Q: My staff members would like to remind patients and caregivers of the benefit of having an...

• Don't Miss Your Chance to Attend Mastering Medicare!

  Mastering Medicare 2013 kicks off on September 9! Click the link above to learn how to sign up for...

Issue 31, August 19, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  Understanding difficult patients and how to effectively work with them is essential for patient and...

• There may be more to the difficult patient than you think!

  Working with the difficult patient can not only be stressful, but it can also create safety risks...

• Q: What are some strategies I can share with my staff to effectively work with argumentative patients?

  Q: What are some strategies I can share with my staff to effectively work with argumentative...

Issue 30, August 12, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  This issue of Homecare Insider covers the recently released Final Rule on FY 2014 Hospice Payment.

• CMS Releases Final Rule on FY 2014 Hospice Payment

  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the FY 2014 final rule: Hospice...

• Weekly Q&A

  Q: With the hospice final rule now released, I know it is vital for me to educate my staff on how...

• Product Spotlight: OASIS-C 2013 Update Webcast: Only a few more days to sign up!

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Issue 29, August 5, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• CMS imposes first Affordable Care Act enrollment moratoria to combat fraud

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• Our agency subscribes to an online referral service. We pay a fee to electronically receive and respond to referrals from a local hospital. Recently, we have been told that this could be a violation of the anti-kickback statute. Can you advise?

  Q: Our agency subscribes to an online referral service. We pay a fee to electronically receive and...

• Mastering Medicare 2013: Compliance and Coding Strategies

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Issue 28, July 29, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• OIG report sheds light on SA survey deficiencies

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• Q: What is a condition-level survey deficiency?

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• OASIS-C 2013 Update Webcast

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Issue 27, July 22, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• Q: Our patient has a continuing problem with medication compliance and we continue to teach on it. We were then issued a denial. Why would that happen when he clearly needs the teaching?

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Issue 26, July 15, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• Understanding care transitions and coordination of care

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• Product spotlight: Mastering Medicare Early Bird Price Extended!

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Issue 25, July 8, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• OASIS-C1 changes featured in Federal Register

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• Q: How will the OASIS-C1 reduce the burden on home health providers?

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Issue 24, July 1, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• CMS Releases 2014 Home Health Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule

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• Q: How does the 2014 Home Health Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule affect homecare quality reporting?

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• Still time to save on Mastering Medicare 2013!

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Issue 23, June 24, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• OIG Report Finds Inaccurate Data in PECOS Database

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• Q: What is the current status of PECOS?

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Issue 22, June 17, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• FDA makes new proposal related to C. diff and other threatening pathogens

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• Q: What exactly is Clostridium difficile?

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• Beacon Summer Webcast Series: Have you signed up for the June, July, and August webcasts?

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Issue 21, June 10, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• ICD-9 vs. ICD-10: Similarities and differences

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• Q: How do we process claims for encounters that span the implementation date for ICD-10?

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Issue 20, June 3, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• CMS Clarifies Use of Rubber Stamp Signatures

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• Q: A physician we work with designated someone to sign his name for him while he was out. Can we accept this signature because he gave permission to someone else, or must we reject the signature?

  Q: Our nursing supervisor noticed that a particular physician's signature suddenly changed from...

• Q: Our nursing supervisor noticed that a particular physician’s signature suddenly changed from what she describes as "hieroglyphics" to a legible and readable name. She called the physician’s office and discovered that someone in the office was designated to sign his name for him while he was on a month-long vacation. Can we accept this signature because he gave permission to someone else, or must we reject the signature?

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Issue 19, May 20, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• 2014 Hospice Proposed Rule Released

  On April 29, CMS issued a proposed rule that would update 2014 Medicare payment rates and the wage...

• Q: How does the 2014 hospice proposed rule affect quality reporting?

  Q: How does the 2014 hospice proposed rule affect quality reporting?

• Hospice audits: Strategies to minimize audits and denials from MACs

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Issue 18, May 13, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  CMS recently released a public comment request looking for provider feedback on QIO service areas...

• CMS seeks public comment on defining QIO service areas

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• Q: What is a QIO and what is their role in the homecare industry?

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• HIPAA final rule webcast!

  The recent release of the HIPAA final rule increases home health agency’s susceptibility to...

Issue 17, May 6, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• CMS issues proposed rule to increase rewards for reporting of fraud and abuse

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• Q: Can you define fraud and abuse? How are they different?

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• Mastering Medicare 2013: Compliance and Coding Strategies

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Issue 16, April 29, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• Changes to OASIS are coming: OASIS-C1 to be proposed

  Everyone is expecting ICD-10 to change the homecare coding department, but ICD-10 will affect...

• Q: What is an Information Collection Request?

  Q: What is an Information Collection Request? /* Style Definitions...

Issue 15, April 22, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• Caring for yourself: Safe patient handling

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• Q: We are currently struggling with a staff retention problem and it's getting costly. What are some ways we can retain our staff members?

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Issue 14, April 15, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  Adverse drug events (AEDs) are a serious issue in healthcare. For homecare providers, they can...

• Understanding adverse drug events

  Do you know how many adult patients are treated in emergency departments because of adverse events...

• Q: What are the steps for a proper medication reconciliation process?

  Q: What are the steps for a proper medication reconciliation process? /* Style Definitions...

Issue 13, April 8, 2013

• MRSA in homecare: What is MRSA and how can it be prevented?

  In the past few years, there has been an increase in MRSA infections in homecare and in the...

• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• Q: What are some ways our agency can prevent the spread of MRSA if we have a confirmed case?

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Issue 12, April 1, 2013

• ICD-10 Implementation Webcast

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• This issue of Homecare Insider

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• Writing goals at your agency: Three common mistakes and how to fix them

  To be successful in the PPS, a homecare agency must provide efficient care that is effective in...

• Q: Can you share some tips for writing goals for the long-term patient?

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Issue 11, March 25, 2013

• MedPAC Issues Annual Report to Congress

  Each year MedPAC releases its annual report to Congress. The report comments on the state of...

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  Are you familiar with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)? In this issue we will...

• The Beacon Guide, 2013 Edition

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• Q: Can you tell us a bit more about MedPAC? What is their role in the Medicare program?

  Q: Can you tell us a bit more about MedPAC? What is their role in the Medicare program?

Issue 10, March 18, 2013

• This issue of Homecare Insider

  It’s National Nutrition Month! In this issue we will focus on nutrition strategies in...

• Nutrition plans for patients with swallowing disorders

  Clinical staff must understand how to create a diet plan for a patient with a swallowing disorder...

• Q: What are the responsibilities of a home health aide when monitoring a patient's special diet?

  Q: What are the responsibilities of a home health aide when monitoring a patient’s special...

Issue 8, March 4, 2013

• Inside the CoP: Patient rights standards

  Throughout the process of providing services for homecare patients, the home health agency (HHA...