NewsLine - March 2013 - (Page 3)

What Sequestration Means for Hospice I t’s often said that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. That is not likely to be the case for hospice providers in 2013. As NHPCO recently shared in our GAR Update, in my February video message, and in a February Regulatory Alert (2/12/13), what makes this March different are the federal spending cuts, known as Sequestration, that (as we go to press), we expect will go into effect. For those who might have missed some of this discussion on Sequestration, let me reiterate a few key points: • Back in January, Congress took action to avoid the fiscal cliff, but that only provided short-term relief. • We expect the Sequestration cuts to go into effect on March 1; these mandatory 2-percent cuts will impact almost every aspect of the federal budget. (For Medicare providers, the 2-percent cut begins with services provided on or after April 1, 2013—see below.) What this means for hospice providers billing under Medicare: • Hospices will continue to bill at the FY2013 rates. • For services provided on or after April 1, 2013, MACs will deduct 2 percent from the reimbursement before paying the claim. Hospices should NOT bill at the 98-percent rate. • These Sequestration cuts will continue for 10 years, unless there is Congressional action to discontinue them. Based on comments coming out of Capitol Hill, Congress will be looking at the impact of Sequestration in late summer. Because there is no way to forecast the outcome, NHPCO stresses the importance for all providers to prepare for the future in a fiscally prudent manner. Let me assure you that NHPCO and the Hospice Action Network (HAN) are strategically planning how to advocate for hospice and protect the high-quality care provided to patients and families. The HAN Advocacy Intensive, July 29 and 30 in Washington, DC, will come at a significant time in the Congressional budget discussions. I hope you’ll consider joining us and help carry the voice of the hospice community to our Congressional leaders. J. Donald Schumacher, PsyD President/CEO NewsLine 3 http://www.nhpco.org/press-room/press-releases/gar-update http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGvb0KLXas0&feature=share&list=UUSBCXCvQVHabTyke1MQ0oJw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGvb0KLXas0&feature=share&list=UUSBCXCvQVHabTyke1MQ0oJw http://www.nhpco.org/regulatory-alerts/medicare-sequestration http://www.hospiceactionnetwork.org/han-in-action/han-events/advocacy-intensive/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - March 2013

Hospice Facts and Figures: A Six-Year Snapshot
A Message From Don
A Lesser-Known Report and How It Can Help You
Health Essentials (display ad)
Celebrating SW Month (display ad)
Serving Veterans: Does Storytelling Help or Hinder?
Related Resources on Serving Veterans
2013 NHF Gala (display ad)
Engaging and Educating a Mobile Workforce
MODEL Teams
#Speak4me Social Media Campaign
New Hospice Volunteer Ads
New National STAR Report
NHPCO’s Affinity Program (display ad)
HP Professional Scholarship Program (display ad)
Look Who’s Coming to MLC
Simione Healthcare Consultants (display ad)
Glatfelter Healthcare Practice (display ad)
Hospice Education Network (display ad)
Videos Worth Watching
Member News and Notes
Compliance Tip
NHPCO 2013 Webinars (display ad)

NewsLine - March 2013