HCCI Blog

Flu season is always challenging and, with the current Public Health Emergency (PHE), advance planning will be even more important. Here are some tips to help you prepare: Order the appropriate quantity of flu shots. Review usage trends from past years, including how many were ordered versus how...

Efficiency is key to the well-being of your HBPC practice. Here are some strategies for boosting efficiency: Understand and document current workflows and processes to avoid task duplication Create an effective intake process that collects necessary information and forms, and introduces services, so providers can focus on patient care...

About this Article: A growing evidence base shows that home-based primary care (HBPC) improves quality of care and promotes aging in place while reducing overall healthcare costs. Being able to access and use this information to demonstrate value to payers and other stakeholders is critical for HBPC practices...

On July 30th, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will begin paying qualified healthcare professionals (i.e., MD, NP, PA, CNS, CNM) for counseling services provided to traditional Medicare beneficiaries when related to the administration of a COVID-19 test. Clinicians are advised...

On July 21, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new 10-week, virtual peer-to-peer learning community entitled, HHS Telemedicine Hack. The training was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness Response (ASPR),...

The medical necessity of a service is the overarching criterion for payment in addition to the individual requirements of a CPT  (Current Procedural Terminology) code. Documentation of medical necessity should do the following: Identify a specific medical reason or focus for the visit (e.g., worsening or new symptoms)...

Telehealth is an important clinical delivery model, especially for home-based providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some practical implementation considerations: Practice Implementation Consider current and future COVID-related workflow needs when selecting a technology vendor Train staff by conducting mock virtual visits among team members Develop documentation templates...

HCCI is sharing this request on behalf of our colleagues Drs. Christine Ritchie and Bruce Leff and the National Home-Based Primary Care Learning Network. Dear Colleague, We are researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Johns Hopkins University writing to alert you to a new research study...

Interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings improve staff communication, encourage teamwork, and promote optimal patient care and outcomes within house call programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, IDT meetings are especially important for maintaining team cohesiveness. Following a structured meeting agenda can help maximize IDT meeting effectiveness. In addition, brief staff huddles...

May 15, 2020 About the Article: HCCInsights sat down with Dr. Thomas Cornwell, Executive Chairman, Home Centered Care Institute, to learn how he keeps humanity in house calls, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when stress and feelings of isolation can be elevated in many patients and caregivers. HCCInsights: What...