American Federation of HomeCare Providers, Inc. -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 2/11/1999
Last Visited: 9/21/2000
Subcommittee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) offered a very short amendment at the end.When asked by other Subcommittee Members whether there was anything of significance included in the changes, Thomas said that they were just technical clarifications, everyone said OK, and that was that.We are reviewing these clarifications to ensure that this is correct.
The most important home health provision would postpone the 15 % reimbursement reduction scheduled for next October 1 until one year after PPS is implemented by HCFA. (The language assumes a 10/1/01 PPS implementation date.) Mr. Thomas's preliminary documents had indicated that the Secretary of HHS will be required to submit a report 6 months after the effective date of PPS on the need for further cuts, i.e., 15 %, in home health reimbursement.Presumably this will be dealt with in the Committee's Report language. (And if done in good faith, with the input of providers and consumers, presumably the answer will be NO. Rather than a need to take more out of the benefit, HHS should report that there is a need to infuse resources back into it.).
A much more minor Ways and Means provision would provide an add on for OASIS costs, as follows : for each Medicare beneficiary served in FY 2000, a HHA would receive $ 10 to address costs associated with implementation of OASIS.Providers will receive payment for OASIS costs only at the time of settlement of the FY 2000 cost report.
Presumably Mr. Thomas's earlier stated intent to waive interest on IPS induced overpayments will be addressed in the Committee Report.In the meantime, HCFA is preparing a Program Memorandum to its FIs regarding an automatic granting of 3-year repayment plans, with interest waived for the first year.
The full House Ways & Means Committee will mark-up the Subcommittee bill early next week.In the meantime, the Senate Finance Committee will mark up its version of Medicare repair legislation probably next Wednesday.
From the Senate bill we like the elimination of consolidated billing for home health and HME under PPS, elimination of the 15 minute reporting requirement, and the increase in the per visit limits to 108 % of the median.