PQHH’s 2017 Policy Priorities
As we move into 2017 and welcome a new Administration and Congress, the Partnership has outlined policy priorities for 2017. While it is hopeful that the new Administration will provide regulatory relief from multiple, duplicative programs detailed below, the Partnership will continue to press on with Congress to make critical changes. Pre-Claim Review Last…
Remembering the Importance of Home for Our Seniors Around the Holidays
As families around the country gather to celebrate the holidays this year, giving gifts and spending quality time with loved ones, it’s important to reflect on the importance of home and the comfort and security it provides. For many American seniors, nothing is more important than being able to remain at home while recovering…
Congress Must Enact the PUSH Act to Protect Seniors Home Healthcare
As Congress wraps up for the year, the Partnership is again calling on Congress to enact the Pre-Claim Undermines Seniors’ Health (PUSH) Act of 2016, which would delay the implementation of the home health pre-claim review demonstration until Medicare and home health agencies are prepared to manage the process without disrupting care delivery. Since…
Don’t Forget About Seniors’ Issues on Election Day
Today is Election Day! Nearly 146 million Americans are currently registered to vote and millions across the country will cast their ballots not only for the U.S. President, but also for state, local, and county offices. America’s senior citizens play a powerful role in the electoral process. Approximately 46 million Americans aged 65 + are…
Illinois Congressional Delegation Asks CMS to Delay Pre-Claim Review
Earlier this month, CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt received a letter signed by every member of the Illinois Congressional delegation urging him to suspend the Pre-Claim Review Demonstration (PCRD) program in the state. Since the program began on August 3, providers have reported numerous improper care denials and technical issues with the state’s Medicare Administrative Contractor…
Congress: Support the PUSH Act to Protect Seniors’ Home Health
Since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rolled out pre-claim review for home healthcare in Illinois, providers across the state have encountered numerous delays and technical problems. Across the home health community, we’re already receiving reports of improper care denials from the Medicare Administrative Coordinators (MACs) that review Medicare home health claims. Several…
National Seniors Poll Signals Opposition to Pre-Claim Review Policy
Recent data sponsored by Bring The Vote Home (BTVH) found that the large majority of U.S. seniors oppose Medicare policy that requires a government contractor to approve claims for physician-prescribed home healthcare services — those often recommended by doctors for elderly patients following hospitalization. While the data is concerning, as it proves that the…
CMS: Rethink Pre-Claim Review for Home Health Services
By Colin Roskey, Executive Vice President of Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare The Center for Medicare & Medicare Services recently proposed a pre-claim review demonstration for Medicare home health services, upon which approximately 3.5 million Medicare beneficiaries depend. The Partnership is echoing concerns expressed by more than 120 bipartisan lawmakers to a previously proposed,…
Home Health Leaders Applaud Introduction of Independence at Home Act
The Partnership commends U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) for introducing the Independence at Home Act, which will convert the Independence at Home (IAH) demonstration into a permanent national Medicare program. The legislation has been lauded across the home health community for bringing primary…
New Analysis Shows Role Home Health Plays in Reducing Readmissions
Last week the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation released new data regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) Model. The data analysis, conducted by Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, comes just more than two months after CMS launched the bundled payment model for major joint…