Hospice Insights: The Law and Beyond
113 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago -Tune in to Husch Blackwell’s hospice podcast with Meg Pekarske for conversations with industry innovators and fundamentals for navigating hospice law. In our commitment to monitoring updates and fostering learning, each episode delivers essential information clients need for best solutions in this changing healthcare sector.
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Episodes
A Command Performant(s): RAC Audits on the Rise
April 17, 2024 16:25 - 10 minutes - 9.82 MBRecovery Audit Contractors (RACs) have played a relatively limited role in the hospice space, often overshadowed by UPICs, SMRCs, and Center for Program Integrity audits. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki talk about a recent wave of record requests issued by a RAC named Performant that focus on GIP and Continuous Home Care, and some ideas about how to respond.
The TPE Carousel. . . Around and Around We Go
April 03, 2024 19:34 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBHospice Targeted Probe and Educate reviews (TPEs) continue to be initiated all over the country. That means it’s time to check in with Husch Blackwell's Hospice team on the latest developments. In this episode, Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki discuss a new TPE topic and describe both the time-tested and emerging strategies hospices can use to respond to these reviews.
A Fond Farewell: Musings on the End of the Medicare Advantage Hospice Carve-In Demonstration
March 13, 2024 18:55 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBIt came as a surprise to our team when we learned that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was ending the hospice component of Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) on December 31, 2024. Upon learning this, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske contacted Chris Comeaux, the president and CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network, to see if he wanted to share his thoughts on this unexpected turn of events and what may be on the horizon. This is a forward-looking conversation where we explore ...
OMG. . .The OIG is at it Again
February 28, 2024 15:46 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBFive years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated audits of 13 hospices and published its findings in 13 separate reports. It appears that the OIG is at it again, as multiple hospices recently have received “engagement letters” from the OIG with directions to produce medical records for 100 randomly selected claims. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki discuss these OIG audits, strategies for responding, ...
How One Hospice Owner Got Convicted of Healthcare Fraud and How You Can Avoid That Fate
February 21, 2024 21:17 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBThe owner of a Louisiana hospice was indicted and then convicted of healthcare fraud. How did that happen? In this episode, Husch Blackwell's Meg Pekarske and Jonathan Porter talk about how a routine audit led to a whistleblower complaint by a hospice employee, which then led to the hospice owner’s criminal conviction following trial in November 2023. Most importantly, the pair discuss how other hospices can avoid that fate. Additional resource: Jury Convicts Hospice Owner for Defrauding M...
Hospice and Home Health Survey Perspectives: A Conversation with Kim Skehan, VP of Accreditation at CHAP
January 31, 2024 19:35 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBIn this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske is joined by friend and industry veteran Kim Skehan. In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore not only the recent survey reforms but the ways in which Kim’s decades of work as a survey consultant to hospices and home health agencies shape how she approaches her new role leading accreditation at CHAP. Kim’s perspective is truly unique. This is a must listen for everyone looking to successfully navigate the survey process.
Year in Review: Key Regulatory Updates in 2023
January 10, 2024 19:30 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBThe hospice industry saw many regulatory changes in 2023. In this episode, Husch Blackwell's Meg Pekarske, Andrew Brenton, and Adam Royal discuss some of the main regulatory changes from 2023 and what hospices should expect in 2024.
An Alternative to Consolidations: Key Considerations for Management Services Organizations
December 13, 2023 19:39 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBTraditional hospice transactions are receiving increased regulatory scrutiny and headwinds. Amidst these challenges, many hospices are considering management services organizations as an alternative to traditional transactions. In this episode, Husch Blackwell's Meg Pekarske and Adam Royal discuss how management services organizations can help hospices achieve economies of scale while minimizing regulatory scrutiny.
Stories of Successful Hospice Leadership: The CEO and Compliance Officer Relationship
November 29, 2023 17:45 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBAn effective compliance program is the bedrock of any successful healthcare organization and behind every successful compliance program is a trusted relationship between the Compliance Officer and CEO. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske is joined by Avow Hospice’s CEO, Jaysen Roa, and its Compliance Officer, Kerri Ervin, who share how they built their relationship and how it has evolved over time. Jaysen and Kerri provide insights on what it means to have a collaborative relatio...
A Very “Special” Episode: Amid Controversy, CMS Launches the Hospice Special Focus Program
November 06, 2023 21:04 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) devised a “Special Focus Program” to identify poor performing hospices and help them improve through more frequent surveys and technical assistance. CMS would also impose enforcement remedies and fines to further incentivize improvement. How to identify poor performing hospices, however, has sparked concern among the hospice community. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki discuss the Hospice Special Focus Program and...
Grace from CMS: Unexpected Good News on HIS and CAHPS Appeals
November 01, 2023 19:09 - 11 minutes - 11 MBFor a variety of unfortunate reasons, some hospices found themselves facing a 4% rate reduction for non-compliance with either Hospice Item Set (HIS) or Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems (CAHPS) requirements. For the third year in a row, the Husch Blackwell hospice team successfully advocated that the penalty not be imposed on its clients and CMS agreed! In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Jacob Harris share more about how they achieved these thrilling res...
This Bandwagon Has a Broken Wheel: OIG Joins the Inconsistent Approach to Hospice GIP Claims
October 18, 2023 21:12 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBCMS has criticized hospices for underutilizing general inpatient care (GIP) but has also specifically targeted GIP claims for audit and medical review. In addition to CMS’s standard tools for reviewing GIP claims, such as UPIC audits and TPEs, the OIG is now getting involved with a GIP audit of its own. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki discuss the divergent approaches to GIP care and what this may mean for the hospice benefit.
A Significant Departure: Unpacking What the New Antitrust Guidelines Mean for Healthcare Providers
October 04, 2023 21:23 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBJoin Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Wendy Arends as they explore the new draft Merger Guidelines and what enforcement may look like in the future. Given the number of hospices looking to consolidate through mergers, joint ventures, and other types of affiliations, you won’t want to miss this episode.
The Gift That Keeps On Giving: TPE Insights and Strategies
September 20, 2023 21:29 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBWhile not new, the number and scope of Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) reviews have soared to new heights. At the same time, more hospices are facing the uncomfortable position of moving to a second and sometimes third round of review. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki share how they have successfully navigated clients through the TPE process. In addition, they offer tools and tips for staying organized while advocating for your organization throughout the pr...
Behind the Curtain: Enhanced Provider Enrollment Oversight
September 06, 2023 21:27 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBIn the midst of consolidation and restructuring among hospices, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is scrutinizing initial enrollments and changes in ownership and management. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Adam Royal discuss new and proposed changes to CMS’s provider enrollment screening and why it matters to hospices.
What Does It Mean? Understanding the Practical Implications of the New 36-Month Rule for Hospices
August 23, 2023 20:51 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBIt’s been hard to keep track of all the new changes related to government oversight of hospices. This growing list now includes an expansion of the 36-month rule to hospices, which will limit the frequency that hospices can change ownership. There are important exceptions to the rule that all hospices will need to closely consider when evaluating all types of organizational changes, including traditional acquisitions and other types of consolidations. Listen in as Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekar...
Survey Woes: CMS Ramps Up Hospice Survey Program and Consequences
August 09, 2023 21:21 - 22 minutes - 21 MBHospices have been the target of increased government scrutiny in 2023, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is planning to take further aim in 2024 through surveys. Join Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Emily Solum, and Erin Burns as they talk about a cautionary survey tale and proposed changes to the hospice survey process, including the introduction of an informal dispute resolution (IDR) process, and a special focus program for poor performing hospices.
Joining Forces: Consolidation Through Member Substitutions
July 26, 2023 21:02 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBHospices are increasingly looking to buy, consolidate, or merge to achieve administrative efficiencies and expand operations for growth. A common approach among nonprofit hospices is to combine through a member substitution. In today’s episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Adam Royal discuss key considerations and strategies for hospice member substitutions.
Show Me the Money: New Study Confirms Hospice Saves Money for Medicare
July 12, 2023 20:52 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBA study published by NORC at the University of Chicago, a nonpartisan research organization, concluded that the Hospice Benefit saved Medicare $3.5 billion in 2019. The data behind that figure, and the study’s related findings, show that the value of the Medicare Hospice Benefit appears to be at odds with CMS’s regulatory priorities. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki dig into the numbers, talk about the NORC study, and its potential impact on hospices and the ...
After ALJ: Options and Opportunities in the Face of an Unfavorable ALJ Decision
June 22, 2023 19:37 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBIn the five-step audit appeals process, hospices often stop their appeal efforts after finding success at the third step, a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). However, if an ALJ issues an unfavorable decision, the hospice still has recourse. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki talk about dealing with an unfavorable ALJ decision, including how to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, costs, and benefits of pursuing the remaining steps of the appeal p...
An Unwanted Spotlight: DOJ Announces Hospice Fraud Is Top Priority
June 07, 2023 21:03 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBIn this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Jonathan Porter, a former federal prosecutor, discuss takeaways from the recent American Bar Association’s Annual National Institute on Health Care Fraud. Most importantly, they will explore what the hospice industry can expect after hearing the remarks of Lisa Miller, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Deputy Assistant Attorney General who oversees the Criminal Fraud Section. According to Miller, data has shown an increase in costs to the M...
A Glimpse Into the Other Side: Understanding the Perspective of Government Enforcers
May 24, 2023 21:18 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBHospice professionals are often left wondering how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other government entities identify enforcement priorities. They also seek understanding about the subsequent steps taken for audits and False Claims Act investigations. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki, and the hospice team’s newest member, former federal prosecutor Jonathan Porter, talk about the reasons and methods behind government enforcement efforts, ...
I Understood There Would Be No Math: Audits, Extrapolations, and a New Set of Rules
May 10, 2023 21:18 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBAudits that employ statistical extrapolation can turn a handful of claim denials into a liability of hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. After years of relative quiet, the statisticians are back. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also modified the rules relating to extrapolation in audits. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki review the latest in extrapolation and how the new rules will affect audits going forward.
Quick Takeaways From the 2024 Proposed Hospice Wage Index Rule
April 26, 2023 21:06 - 22 minutes - 21 MBEarlier this spring, as part of its annual rulemaking process for hospices, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued several important regulatory proposals. In addition to the yearly update in hospice per diem rates, the proposed rule clarifies the end dates for hospices to use telehealth and other technologies to provide remote care. The rule also contains a rather unpleasant surprise: CMS’s proposal to require, as a condition of payment, that all certifying physicians be...
Business Associates Here, There, and Everywhere: When Does Your Service Provider Really Need to Sign a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement?
April 12, 2023 21:13 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBThe HIPAA regulations require that covered entities enter into agreements with business associates who provide certain services for the covered entity involving the receipt, use, or disclosure of protected health information. In working with hospices throughout the years, we have found that many hospices have business associate agreements with nursing homes, vendors, and other providers where a business associate agreement is not required because neither party is actually a business associat...
Heed Caution: Takeaways From the OIG’s Advance Care Planning Report
March 29, 2023 17:42 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported in November 2022 that many providers are not complying with Medicare’s billing rules for advance care planning services. In large part, the OIG’s findings centered around providers failing to document separately for time spent on advance care planning versus time spent on concurrent services provided during the same patient visit. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Andrew Brenton, and Z...
David v. Goliath: Taking on Payment Suspension and Extrapolation
March 15, 2023 21:12 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBPayment suspension and overpayment extrapolation are among the most extreme and effective enforcement tools available to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and its auditors. However, even these measures can be overcome. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki, and Emily Solum talk about our hospice team’s latest encounter with payment suspension and extrapolation. Spoiler alert—it has a happy ending!
The Rules They Are A-Changin’: CMS Proposes a Significant Change to the 60-Day Repayment Rule
March 01, 2023 22:13 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) unexpectedly proposed a rule change that could have a significant impact on how hospices investigate compliance issues and take remedial action. The rule change directly affects potential liability under the federal False Claims Act. Therefore, it is critical that hospices understand this change so they can take steps to mitigate risk and financial exposure. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki talk about this ...
On the Road With Your Hospice Team: A Report From Home Care 100
February 15, 2023 22:19 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBThe Home Care 100 Leadership Conference is an annual gathering of top leaders and innovators in the hospice and home health community. Presentations and informal discussions address the current state of the industry and what will drive future survival and success. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki and Emily Solum talk about their participation in this year’s conference, what the future holds for hospices, and how to avoid getting left behind in the continually ev...
Surprise! What Hospices Need to Know About the No Surprises Act
February 01, 2023 21:54 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBWhile direct patient billing may be less common for hospice patients than for patients receiving hospital or other types of care, there are aspects of the No Surprises Act and its implementing regulations that are important for hospices to understand. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Noreen Vergara and Andrew Brenton break down how the No Surprises Act applies to hospices. They also share key tips for hospice compliance with these new federal rules prohibiting surprise medica...
Hospice Audit Series | Welcome to the Party: Contractor Participation at ALJ Hearings
January 18, 2023 22:07 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBRecently, there has been an uptick in contractor participation at the administrative law judge (ALJ) stage of hospice audit appeals. This development poses unique challenges and new advocacy opportunities for providers. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske talks with Bryan Nowicki, Emily Solum and Zaina Niles about how hospices can prepare for and get the most out of contractor appearances at ALJ hearings.
UPIC Report Card: The OIG’s Evaluation of the UPICs Provides Insight Into the Future of Hospice Audits
January 04, 2023 22:21 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBThe Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) recently released a report detailing its evaluation of CMS’s primary fraud, abuse and waste investigators—the Unified Program Integrity Contractors (UPIC). In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske talks with Bryan Nowicki about the OIG’s report, what it reveals about UPIC activities, and what it means for the future of UPIC audits.
Is the Doctor In? Legal Considerations for Hospice Physician Contracting
December 14, 2022 20:58 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBThe hospice physician plays an enormously critical role in hospice operations, from certifying patients as terminally ill to being the hospice’s representative in the community. Just as the physician’s role is critical, so too is the physician’s contract with the hospice. When it comes to contracting for a medical director’s or other hospice physician’s services, there are a variety of pitfalls to avoid and legal considerations to keep in mind. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske...
Do You Have a Backup? Building Redundancies Into Your Written Certification Process
November 30, 2022 21:19 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBThe hospice certification of terminal illness is one of the documents most scrutinized by Medicare contractors, and it is of critical importance since an invalid certification can impact Medicare payment for the patient’s entire 90 or 60-day benefit period. If overlooking any of the multitude of certification requirements is human, then building redundancies into your certification documentation to avoid claim denials or a repayment obligation is divine. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Me...
A Zero Percent Error Rate: An Inspiring Story on How To Get There
November 09, 2022 22:19 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBHusch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske is joined today by Mary Kay Tyler, Chief Quality and Compliance Officer of Hospice of the Western Reserve, who shares strategies for achieving the elusive goal of improved clinical documentation. As Mary Kay discusses, you start with what can make the biggest impact. For general inpatient care (GIP), that is often physician and nurse practitioner (NP) documentation. Meg and Mary Kay discuss how she leveraged her electronic medical records (EMR), fostered buy-in...
Strategic Restructuring for the Future | Not Just an Org Chart: Corporate and Regulatory Considerations for Hospice Transactions
October 26, 2022 19:55 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBHospices are increasingly looking to buy, consolidate or merge to achieve administrative efficiencies and expand growth opportunities. Transactions between hospices present unique regulatory challenges that shape corporate and transactional structures, and often require looking beyond the client’s organizational charts. Join Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Adam Royal and Erin Burns as they discuss key considerations and strategies in hospice transactions.
COVID-19 Hospice How-To Series | The Results Are In: More Wins for Hospices in HIS Appeals
October 13, 2022 14:00 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBCOVID-19 remained a substantial obstacle to hospices’ efforts to comply with quality data reporting obligations in 2021. Those challenges resulted in a number of hospices receiving notices of a 2% Medicare payment reduction in July 2022. We appealed those notices and won! In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki and Jacob Harris talk about those appeals, the keys to success and what to expect next year.
Focus on What Matters: The Importance of the Hospice Election Statement
September 28, 2022 21:30 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBThe hospice election may be the single most important document for hospices since an invalid form can impact payment for a patient’s entire stay. Especially in light of a recent rise in Medicare claim denials related to the election, revisiting your form now could save you later in time and money. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Emily Solum and Andrew Brenton share some key tips for avoiding common election denials—and the headaches and sleepless nights that come with them.
COVID-19 Hospice How-To Series | Pulling the Strings: New OIG Audits Scrutinize How Hospices Used Provider Relief Funds
September 14, 2022 20:07 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBFor the last two-and-a-half years, hospices and other providers have been using billions in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to prepare for, respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has begun its nationwide audit of providers’ use of PRF payments, removing any remaining doubt as to whether these payments came with very significant strings attached. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki and Andrew Brenton share their ...
Hospice Innovators: A Conversation with Jaysen Roa, President and CEO of Avow Hospice
August 31, 2022 19:13 - 51 minutes - 47 MBHusch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske is very excited to be joined by Jaysen Roa, President and CEO of Avow Hospice in Naples, Florida. Jaysen is a leader of action who is finding new ways to approach and solve the challenges facing the hospice industry. He is leveraging technology to provide better and more responsive hospice care at the end of life. He is also collaborating with other hospices through the formation of Synthase Collaborative to improve efficiencies and work with new payors. Jaysen...
Beyond Hospice: Home Health Agencies Plagued by UPICs and SMRCs
August 17, 2022 20:34 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBIn this episode, we continue our discussion of home health enforcement trends, focusing on other audits currently troubling agencies. These include audits from Unified Program Integrity Contractors (UPIC), Supplemental Medical Review Contractors (SMRC) and the Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) program by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As on the hospice side, these audits can be an administrative burden and should be taken seriously. Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan...
Beyond Hospice: And They’re Off! The OIG’s Nationwide Review of Hospice Eligibility Has Begun
August 03, 2022 21:10 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBIn a prior podcast, we alerted you to the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) nationwide review of hospice beneficiary eligibility. The OIG has begun sending out requests for records to hospices across the country. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki and Erin Burns discuss what hospices can expect and what they should do.
Hospice Audit Series | And They’re Off! The OIG’s Nationwide Review of Hospice Eligibility Has Begun
August 03, 2022 21:10 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBIn a prior podcast, we alerted you to the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) nationwide review of hospice beneficiary eligibility. The OIG has begun sending out requests for records to hospices across the country. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki and Erin Burns discuss what hospices can expect and what they should do.
Hospice Audit Series | It’s That Time of Year Again: Quality Data Reporting Determinations Raise New and Recurring Issues
July 20, 2022 19:54 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBEach July, the Medicare Administrative Contractors issue notices of a 2% Medicare payment reduction to those providers who did not meet quality data reporting requirements. Those notices have been sent. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Jacob Harris talk about the issues providers faced in 2021 and how to pursue an appeal of the 2% payment reduction.
Beyond Hospice: The OIG Renews Its Scrutiny of Home Health Agencies
July 06, 2022 20:06 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBAs many hospices continue to diversify into new business lines, staying abreast of enforcement trends outside of hospice is more important than ever. Home health in particular, is receiving significant government scrutiny. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske talks with Bryan Nowicki and Erin Burns about a new round of home health audits being conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Nuts and Bolts of a Repayment Investigation: Keys to Conducting Investigations Under the 60-Day Repayment Rule
June 22, 2022 19:43 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBWhen confronted with a complaint, allegation or event that implicates a potential Medicare overpayment, hospices have an affirmative duty under the federal 60-day repayment rule to conduct an investigation and refund any overpayment. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Andrew Brenton share tips and tools for conducting internal investigations and determining when an issue implicates payment.
Hospice Audit Series | Painting the Picture: How to Advocate for Clinical Hospice Eligibility in the Audit Appeal Process
June 08, 2022 19:17 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBThe core of most hospice audits has been, and continues to be, whether the medical record supports the patient’s hospice eligibility. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske talks with Bryan Nowicki and Zaina Niles about strategies for showing how a medical record supports a patient’s six-month prognosis.
You’ve Got Mail: CMS Physician Outreach and How to Respond to It
May 25, 2022 18:52 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently started mailing letters inviting physicians to one-on-one training sessions about the Medicare hospice benefit. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske, Bryan Nowicki and Claire Postman talk about what these training sessions involve, why CMS is conducting them, and how physicians and hospices can respond.
Hospice Audit Series | Turning the Screws: UPIC Enforcement Tactics and What They Mean for Your Hospice
May 11, 2022 20:08 - 11 minutes - 16.3 MBUnified Program Integrity Contractor (UPIC) audits are on the rise, and the UPICs are embracing the full array of enforcement tools at their disposal. In this episode, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki discuss the ways that UPICs can put pressure on hospices and how hospices can respond.
Strategic Restructuring for the Future: Exploring Upstream Revenue Opportunities for Hospices
April 27, 2022 20:47 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBStrategic Restructuring for the Future: Exploring How Hospices Are Using Joint Ventures, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Service Diversification to Transform Change, transformation, disruption: whatever you want to call it, it’s happening in the hospice industry over the next 5 years. It is unquestionable that the carve-in to Medicare Advantage, the rise of value-based care and steady market consolidation is changing the playing field. How do hospices respond? In this series, we explore how h...