Hospice Management Advisor Archives – December 1, 2007
December 1, 2007
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With new COPs, visit tracking in 2008, could payment changes be on horizon?
Starting next month, hospices will have to report to Medicare all nursing, hospice aide, and social worker visits made for patients. Then a few months later, the new conditions of participation (COPs) will be finalized, which will require greater attention to documentation of services and quality. -
How to make the most of Medicare payments
While it's true that Medicare might change the way hospices are paid sometime in the future, it's still important to make the most of the current system, experts say. -
Maximize time, resources to improve marketing
Hospices traditionally devote too few resources to developing marketing staff, so they need to find ways to maximize the available time and resources, an expert advises. -
MedPAC discusses hospice Medicare payment cap
Members of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) met in October and discussed the hospice payment benefit's aggregate, average, per beneficiary limit, which providers call the Medicare cap. -
Link with respite care agency expands marketing
Family caregiver burnout is a real concern for nurses who also check on the well-being of the caregiver during patient visits. Studies have shown that a large majority of family caregivers experience fatigue, frustration, and stress; that two-thirds of caregivers believe that caregiving has strained their marriages; and that one-quarter have felt despair as a result of caregiving. -
Are your employees ready for an emergency?
Effectively preparing for an emergency requires plans that address those emergencies you are likely to experience. -
OIG gives guidance on free services
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued another Advisory Opinion recently that provides additional guidance to providers about giving free items to potential patients.