NHPCO NewsLine April 2014 - (Page 3)

The Positives in Part D O n March 11, NHPCO released a Regulatory Alert detailing CMS's final guidance on "Hospice and Medicare Part D" - along with a Compliance Guide that discusses specific steps that hospices should take to meet the new regulation. If you haven't yet reviewed the Guide, I urge you to do so now, and save the PDF for future reference. Certainly, the Part D issue has been time-consuming, difficult, and very upsetting for all of us since it arose last year. What I want to reinforce here, however, is that your feedback made a tangible difference. We appreciated the information that many members provided during meetings, conference calls and via email, particularly medical directors, and members of the Quality and Standards Committee and the NCHPP Pharmacist Section. This information was included in our formal Comment Letter to CMS on January 10. But, additionally, we shared your feedback in a range of other ongoing discussions - with CMS officials, Congressional supporters on Capitol Hill, and in my personal meetings with CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. As we focus attention on what must now be done to meet the new regulation, please recognize that the four key things we asked for were indeed granted: 1. 2. 3. 4. More time to implement the guidance Beneficiary-level prior authorization A uniform process (and document) for prior authorizations Deference to the hospice (via the hospice physician) to determine drug relatedness. CMS has either put into place or started a mechanism to ensure these requests are addressed. Note too that Part D plans (per CMS direction) will not attempt to recoup any drug payments made in 2013 or through April 30 of this year. As we look ahead, NHPCO is clearly concerned about the toll this regulation will take on hospices, their staffs, and on patients and families. I also expect that further battles may be in store on the larger issue of drug relatedness. But, right now, it's important to recognize that compromises were made - and were brought about by our collective efforts. Last but not least, it was a pleasure seeing many members at MLC in late March. With the demands at home, I was appreciative of this time together. J. Donald Schumacher, PsyD President/CEO NHPCO NewsLine 3 http://www.nhpco.org/regulatory-alerts/part-d-and-hospice-cms-final-guidance http://www.nhpco.org/system/files/ComplianceGuidePartD.pdf http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/regulatory/NHPCO%20CommentLetterParD-Hospice.pdf

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine April 2014

Gaining as Much as They Give
A Message From Don
Dementia and the Hospice Volunteer
The Volunteer Management Mentorship Program
Volunteer Virtual Conference Sessions Now on E-OL
Celebrating Volunteers! (display ad)
NHDD Now 7 Years Strong
Help an Exemplary Volunteer Get National Recognition
Member News and Notes
Advocacy Intensive June 16-17 (display ad)
Compliance Tip: Part D
High-Performance Hospice Care (display ad)
Being a Member Can Save You Money (display ad)
Links to Resources on the NHPCO Website
A Feel-Good Moment
News From NHF

NHPCO NewsLine April 2014