Hospice Management Advisor Archives – February 1, 2007
February 1, 2007
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Prison hospices are thriving due to greater acceptance, older population
It's been 20 years since Springfield, MO, Medical Centers Hospice Program became the first U.S. prison hospice program, and now there are more than 70 hospice programs within state and federal prisons. -
Angola prison shows how TLC makes a difference
In at least one way, the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, LA, is an ideal setting for a hospice: It's an encapsulated village in which 90 percent of its residents will die within its walls and fences. -
Concerns allayed for hospice patients given opioids
Opioid use for patients with advanced illness has been the focus of controversy and misconceptions, even among health care practitioners, an expert notes. -
Complexity of coding requires coding staff
With an average of 300 new codes, and the development of guidelines that change the way old codes are applied each year, it is critical that your agency keep staff members up to date on coding requirements to ensure that you receive the highest appropriate reimbursement, say experts interviewed. -
Coding expert must be a master at solving puzzles
Designating a staff member as the "coding expert" for your agency is one way to ensure accurate reimbursement; but the person does not have to be a certified coder to help your agency understand the myriad codes and guidelines. -
Don't forget hospitalists in your marketing plan
All home health agency managers understand the need to market their agencies to ensure success. The use of web sites, brochures, sales staff, and communication with referral sources will produce success, but be sure that you are addressing all of your referral sources in your efforts. -
Attorney: 'Rotation' referrals may compromise care
Patients' right to freedom of choice of providers has been a source of continuing conflict, especially between hospitals and post-acute providers not owned by or affiliated with hospitals -- so-called freestanding providers. -
IOM report: Medicare should switch to P4P
A recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report recommends that Medicare gradually replace its current fee-for-service payment system with a new pay-for-performance system for its 42 million beneficiaries.