The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) submitted comments on the FY2021 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Update Proposed Rule. The letter outlines its request that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) delay the implementation of the election statement content modifications and addendum for at least one full year beyond the end date of the COVID-19 PHE. Key reasons for the need to delay are as follows: Impact of COVID-19 Lack of guida...

The following item is of great importance to Home Health, Hospice, and PAS agencies: On July 20th, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) issued provider letter PL 2020-35, Screening for COVID-19 and Documentation of Screening. The Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice (TAHCH) is awaiting feedback from HHSC regarding the requirements addressed in the provider letter because of confusion relating to specific items outlined in it. For more details, HHSC has posted a...

Please review the following topics and resources as they pertain to your agency: Please visit the HealthCare ConsultLink website for a list of the complimentary pandemic-related policies and tools, along with various COVID-19 resources and links referenced in the HCL News emails. Additionally, HealthCare ConsultLink (HCL) has recently written a new Personal Protective Equipment Policy, that will be added to the HCL online policy and procedure manuals in the near future. ...