LeadingAge Advocates for Revisions to Enforcement
LeadingAge sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 15 advocating for a change to enforcement policies enacted during the government shutdown. With survey and certification activities severely limited for all provider types, LeadingAge has heard concerns from members related to the suspension of revisit surveys and the impact on enforcement remedies. LeadingAge has recommended that CMS temporarily revise policies related to denials of payment for new admissions to prevent access issues to post-acute and long-term care services during this period. Read the letter here.
Update on HOPE Coding for Payer Information
There have been some issues with hospice provider submitting Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) assessments when the A1400 Payer Information lists both A (Medicare FFS) and B (Medicare Managed Care). While this is correct according to the HOPE guidance manual, the data specification provided electronic medical record (EMR) vendors allows only one selection. CMS clarified via email that they are working to correct the issue and at this time is advising providers to only select A (Medicare FFS) in order to timely submit their documentation.
Take Action: Make Medicare Telehealth Waivers Permanent
An October 17 action alert from LeadingAge asked aging services stakeholders to urge Congress to make Medicare telehealth waivers permanent. The alert seeks House and Senate support for the “Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2025” or the “CONNECT for Health Act of 2025” (S. 1261/H.R. 4206) and stop the telehealth cliff by authorizing these flexibilities permanently this year. Take action here.
