CMS Implements New Law on Home Health, Hospice

The rule requires the healthcare professionals who make certification decisions to provide documentation saying they met with the patient in person. The face-to-face meetings must take within 90 days before the start of services or 30 days after care begins. If an individual is already receiving Medicare home health or hospice services, a hospice physician or nurse practitioner should meet with the patient before the patient's 180th day recertification, as well as each subsequent recertification.  Read the article here.