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# Qavalo

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://qavalo.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://qavalo.com/blog/)
- [Enhancing Home Health Therapy Documentation Practices](https://qavalo.com/enhancing-home-health-therapy-documentation-practices/) - Conducting the Initial Therapy Evaluation There are two objectives to fulfill when conducting the initial therapy evaluation: 1) emphasize that skilled therapy services are medically necessary, and 2) identify the specific areas to focus on during succeeding patient visits. Obtaining approval from the certifying physician or provider before continuing with therapy is always necessary. During
- [Reviewing the Fundamentals of F2F Compliance](https://qavalo.com/reviewing-the-fundamentals-of-f2f-compliance/) - Face-to-face (F2F) encounters are required to certify a patient's eligibility for Medicare home health benefits. Face-to-face (F2F) documentation compliance has been a persistent challenge for numerous home health agencies, as it remains a leading cause of Medicare home health claim denials. The guidelines for F2F encounters may appear ambiguous, making it challenging for home health
- [Breaking Down the 2027 Home Health Proposed Rule](https://qavalo.com/breaking-down-the-2027-home-health-proposed-rule/) - Understanding the 2027 Home Health Proposed Rule Key Changes and Implications
- [Home Health Visit Frequency: Documentation Tips and Best Practices](https://qavalo.com/home-health-visit-frequency-documentation-tips-and-best-practices/) - Review key guidelines and best practices for setting home health visit frequencies
- [5 Common Mistakes in M1033 Documentation](https://qavalo.com/5-common-mistakes-in-m1033-documentation/) - Avoid these common mistakes when completing M1033
- [M1033 Quick Guide for Clinicians](https://qavalo.com/m1033-quick-guide-for-clinicians/) - Review the guidelines for answering the OASIS M1033
- [Writing Better Home Health Visit Notes](https://qavalo.com/writing-better-home-health-visit-notes/) - Practical tips for stronger visit note documentation without adding unnecessary charting burden.
- [Documenting Falls in OASIS‑E2: Updated Guidance](https://qavalo.com/documenting-falls-in-oasis-e2-updated-guidance/) - The new guidelines for documenting falls are among the most significant updates in OASIS‑E2, effective April 1, 2026. The updates are designed to make fall reporting more complete, accurate, and consistent, helping clinicians keep patients safe and improving quality reporting. CMS recognized that the Falls with Major Injury (FMI) quality measure was underreporting events when
- [Practical Tips for Faster OASIS Documentation](https://qavalo.com/practical-tips-for-faster-oasis-documentation/) - Learn practical tips for faster and easier OASIS documentation
- [CMS Released Final OASIS-E2 Resources](https://qavalo.com/cms-released-final-oasis-e2-resources/) - Review the final OASIS-E2 resources from CMS
- [Getting Ready for OASIS-E2 Rollout on April 1](https://qavalo.com/getting-ready-for-oasis-e2-rollout-on-april-1/) - Learn more about item set and guidance updates in the new OASIS-E2
- [ICD-10 Update Effective April 1: What You Need to Know](https://qavalo.com/icd-10-update-effective-april-1-what-you-need-to-know/) - Learn about the ICD-10 updates effective April 1, 2026
- [Urgent Update: Telehealth Flexibilities Expired January 30, 2026 – Possible Extension Pending](https://qavalo.com/urgent-update-telehealth-flexibilities-expired-january-30-2026-possible-extension-pending/) - Learn the implications of the telehealth expiration for HHAs
- [Reminder: 2026 Updated OASIS M-Item Functional Points](https://qavalo.com/reminder-2026-updated-oasis-m-item-functional-points/) - Review the 2026 updated OASIS Functional Points
- [2026 Updated Comorbidity Subgroups and Interactions](https://qavalo.com/2026-updated-comorbidity-subgroups-and-interactions/) - Review changes to comorbidity adjustment subgroups and interactions
- [Recap of Home Health Updates to Watch for 2026](https://qavalo.com/recap-of-home-health-updates-to-watch-for-2026/) - Review important home health updates to watch for 2026
- [Key Updates from the CY 2026 Home Health Final Rule](https://qavalo.com/key-updates-from-the-cy-2026-home-health-final-rule/) - Learn about the key updates from the CY 2026 Home Health Final Rule
- [Guidelines for Documenting and Coding Diabetes in Remission in Home Health](https://qavalo.com/guidelines-for-documenting-and-coding-diabetes-in-remission-in-home-health/) - Learn more about the key documentation requirements and coding guidelines for E11.A
- [Best Practices for Efficient OASIS QA Review Program](https://qavalo.com/best-practices-for-efficient-oasis-qa-review-program/) - Learn best practices for an efficient and effective OASIS QA review program
- [Common Coding Mistakes That Can Affect Reimbursements](https://qavalo.com/common-coding-mistakes-that-can-affect-reimbursements/) - Avoid these common mistakes in home health coding
- [8 Key Pointers for Completing an ROC OASIS](https://qavalo.com/8-key-pointers-for-completing-an-roc-oasis/) - Review tips and best practices for completing an ROC OASIS
- [7 Tips for Completing a Recert OASIS](https://qavalo.com/7-tips-for-completing-a-recert-oasis/) - Review tips and best practices for completing a Recertification OASIS
- [[Updated] ICD Code Updates Effective October 1](https://qavalo.com/heads-up-icd-code-updates-effective-october-1/) - Review changes from the FY 2026 ICD code update, effective October 1
- [9 Tips for Completing a Transfer OASIS](https://qavalo.com/9-tips-for-completing-a-transfer-oasis/) - Tips for Completing a Transfer OASIS
- [Coding Secondary Diagnoses and Maximizing Comorbidity Adjustment in Home Health](https://qavalo.com/coding-secondary-diagnoses-and-maximizing-comorbidity-adjustment-in-home-health/) - Tips for Coding Secondary Diagnoses and Maximizing Comorbidity Adjustment in Home Health
- [9 Tips for Accurate and Thorough Wound Assessment Documentation in Home Health](https://qavalo.com/9-tips-for-accurate-and-thorough-wound-assessment-documentation-in-home-health/) - Review best practices for documenting wound assessment in home health
- [Preview Changes for OASIS-E2 Effective April 2026](https://qavalo.com/preview-changes-for-oasis-e2-effective-april-2026/) - Review proposed changes for the new OASIS-E2 effective April 2026
- [Breaking Down the 2026 Home Health Proposed Rule](https://qavalo.com/breaking-down-the-2026-home-health-proposed-rule/) - Key updates from the CY 2026 Home Health Proposed Rule
- [Getting Ready for July 1: All-Payer OASIS Submission](https://qavalo.com/getting-ready-for-july-1-all-payer-oasis-submission/) - Guide to preparing for all-payer OASIS data submission
- [New Insights on Face-to-Face Requirements in Home Health](https://qavalo.com/new-insights-on-face-to-face-requirements-in-home-health/) - Revisiting the guidelines and clarifications on F2F compliance requirements, as outlined by Palmetto GBA
- [Which Patients are Subject to All-Payer OASIS Data Collection](https://qavalo.com/which-patients-are-subject-to-all-payer-oasis-data-collection/) - Beginning July 1, 2025, OASIS data collection and submission will be mandatory for all patients regardless of payer, and home health agencies (HHAs) must be equipped to identify which patients are subject to this requirement. In the April 2025 OASIS Q&As, CMS provided several clarifications to help agencies determine which patients require OASIS data collection.
- [April 2025 ICD-10 Updates: What Home Health Agencies Need to Know](https://qavalo.com/april-2025-icd-10-updates-what-home-health-agencies-need-to-know/) - What Home Health Agencies Need to Know about the April 2025 ICD-10 Updates
- [Recap: 3 New Quality Measures on Care Compare (Jan 2025)](https://qavalo.com/recap-3-new-quality-measures-on-care-compare-jan-2025/) - Learn more about the new quality measures included in the January 2025 refresh of Care Compare
- [[HHVBP] The Shift to Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations (PPH)](https://qavalo.com/hhvbp-the-shift-to-potentially-preventable-hospitalizations-pph/) - Learn more about the shift to PPH in HHVBP and what it means for home health agencies.
- [Key Foundations for Cohesive Home Health Documentation](https://qavalo.com/key-foundations-for-cohesive-home-health-documentation/) - Learn key aspects to reinforce in each documentation-related function in home health.
- [Preparing for 2025: Key Updates for Home Health](https://qavalo.com/preparing-for-2025-key-updates-for-home-health/) - Get an overview of the key updates home health agencies need to know as 2025 approaches.
- [October 2024 IPRs Out Now; HHVBP Preparations for 2025](https://qavalo.com/october-2024-iprs-out-now-hhvbp-preparations-for-2025/) - 2024 Interim Performance Reports (IPRs) Now Available The October 2024 Interim Performance Reports (IPRs) for the expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model are now available on the iQIES system. This quarterly report offers crucial information for home health agencies, including: Cohort assignments Performance data for the past 12 months Interim Total Performance Score (TPS)
- [Key Takeaways: CY 2025 Home Health Payment Final Rule](https://qavalo.com/key-takeaways-cy-2025-home-health-payment-final-rule/) - Quickly learn about the major updates from the CY 2025 Home Health Payment Final Rule
- [6 Tips for Completing a Discharge OASIS](https://qavalo.com/6-tips-for-completing-a-discharge-oasis/) - Learn practical tips for accurately documenting OASIS Discharge
- [OASIS Cognitive Items: Reviewing Guidelines and Their Impact](https://qavalo.com/oasis-cognitive-items-reviewing-guidelines-and-their-impact/) - Section C in the OASIS-E Guidance Manual provides instructions for assessing cognitive function through nine key items. Of these, three items—M1700 (Cognitive Functioning), M1710 (When Confused), and M1720 (When Anxious)—are critical for inclusion or exclusion from many OASIS-based outcome quality measures. Accurate assessment of these items plays a significant role in determining quality measure calculations.
- [October 2024 ICD Coding Update: Key Insights for HHAs](https://qavalo.com/october-2024-icd-coding-update-key-insights-for-hhas/) - Get to know the key areas that will affect home health coding 2025 ICD-10-CM updates effective October 1, 2024.
- [Reviewing the First Annual Performance Report for HHVBP](https://qavalo.com/reviewing-the-first-annual-performance-report-for-hhvbp/) - Learn key insights from the Preview Annual Performance Reports (APR) recently released by CMS
- [Explaining the Impact of GG Items with the New Discharge Function Score](https://qavalo.com/explaining-the-impact-of-gg-items-with-the-new-discharge-function-score/) - Learn more about the new Discharge Function Score derived from the GG items and how it will impact your agency’s performance scores.
- [Proposed Rule: OASIS Reporting Required for All Payers in 2025](https://qavalo.com/proposed-rule-oasis-reporting-required-for-all-payers-in-2025/) - Learn more about the proposed mandate for home health agencies to transmit OASIS data for all patients, regardless of payer starting in 2025.
- [Key Updates from the CY 2025 Home Health Proposed Payment Rule](https://qavalo.com/key-updates-from-the-cy-2025-home-health-proposed-payment-rule/) - Learn about the key updates from the newly released CY 2025 Home Health Proposed Payment Rule
- [2024 Data: Growth in Home Healthcare Jobs](https://qavalo.com/2024-data-growth-in-home-healthcare-jobs/) - Learn more about the upward trend of jobs in home healthcare and what it means for home health businesses.
- [Home health Spending Expected to Grow by 7.1%](https://qavalo.com/home-health-spending-expected-to-grow-by-7-1/) - Learn more about the growth projection for home healthcare in the latest data released by CMS.
- [6 Tips for Answering N0415-High-Risk Drug Classes](https://qavalo.com/6-tips-for-answering-n0415-high-risk-drug-classes/) - Learn useful tips to accurately answer OASIS item N0415 High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication
- [CMS Extends Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) for 5 More Years](https://qavalo.com/cms-extends-review-choice-demonstration-rcd-for-5-more-years/) - Learn more about the recent announcement from CMS about the 5-year extension of the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) and the removal of Choice 3: Minimal Review with a 25% Payment Reduction.
- [Beyond GG and M1800: Crucial OASIS Items for Risk Adjustment](https://qavalo.com/beyond-gg-and-m1800-crucial-oasis-items-for-risk-adjustment/) - What is Risk Adjustment and why you should pay attention to OASIS items beyond GG and M1800
- [Out Now: OASIS-E1 Draft Guidance Manual and Time Point Versions](https://qavalo.com/out-now-oasis-e1-draft-guidance-manual-and-time-point-versions/) - We have outlined the notable changes contained in the newly released OASISE-1 Draft Guidance Manual and Time Point Versions of the instrument.
- [Navigating the Surge in TPE and Other Audits](https://qavalo.com/navigating-the-surge-in-tpe-and-other-audits/) - How to successfully navigate the recent surge in TPE and other audits.
- [4 Ways to Ease Documentation Work of Clinicians](https://qavalo.com/4-ways-to-ease-documentation-work-of-clinicians/) - We have outlined several ways in which agencies can alleviate the documentation burden on clinicians.
- [Tips to Avoid the Use of Questionable Encounter Codes](https://qavalo.com/tips-to-avoid-questionable-encounter-codes/) - 5 tips on how home health agencies can avoid the use of Questionable Encounter codes.
- [When Is OASIS Data Collected as Part of the Comprehensive Assessment?](https://qavalo.com/when-is-oasis-data-collected-as-part-of-the-comprehensive-assessment/) - OASIS is only necessary as part of the comprehensive assessment for time points requiring an in-person encounter with the patient. For Transfer to Inpatient Facility and Death at Home, only limited OASIS data is needed, mostly obtainable via telephone.
- [2 Common Pitfalls in Scoring New OASIS-E Items](https://qavalo.com/2-common-pitfalls-in-scoring-new-oasis-e-items/) - Two common mistakes in scoring new items in the OASIS-E and reminders to help avoid them.
- [Shifting from G to GG items in QRP and VBP](https://qavalo.com/shifting-from-g-to-gg-items-in-qrp-and-vbp/) - Effective January 2025, GG items will replace the G items (M1800s) for functional ability assessment in the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and VBP.
- [New Transfer of Health (TOH) Measures, Explained](https://qavalo.com/transfer-of-health-measures-explained/) - Learn more about the Transfer of Health (TOH) process measures that are new additions to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP).
- [Tips for Documenting Falls in OASIS Items J1800 and J1900](https://qavalo.com/tips-for-documenting-falls-in-oasis-items-j1800-and-j1900/) - Reviewing guidelines for documenting falls in OASIS items J1800 and J1900
- [Reviewing the January 2024 IPR for HHVBP](https://qavalo.com/reviewing-the-january-2024-ipr-for-hhvbp/) - The latest version of the Interim Performance Report (IPR) for HHVBP is set to be available in iQIES by end January 2024.
- [CMS Releases Draft OASIS-E1 Instrument](https://qavalo.com/cms-releases-draft-oasis-e1-instrument/) - The Draft version of the OASIS-E1 Instrument has been released by CMS giving home health agencies an early look at the changes to the OASIS taking effect January 1, 2025 The OASIS document requires updating to accommodate some changes related to policy, including the end of the temporary suspension for non-Medicare/non-Medicaid home health patients and
- [Industry Trends Shaping Home Health in 2024](https://qavalo.com/industry-trends-shaping-home-health-in-2024/) - The demand for home and community-based care will grow due to aging baby boomers, elderly preference to age at home, and healthcare cost reduction pressures. Despite growth opportunities, home healthcare providers will face headwinds in 2024, including a persistent labor shortage, heightened competition, reimbursement cuts, and regulatory requirements. Diversifying services and payers will help agencies
- [Comorbidity Adjustment Changes in 2024](https://qavalo.com/comorbidity-adjustment-changes-in-2024/) - The CY 2024 Home Health Final Payment Rule introduces a wave of changes, including updates on the comorbidity adjustments. The final rule reads: “only those subgroups of diagnoses that represent more than 0.1 percent of periods of care and that have at least as high as the median resource use will receive a low comorbidity
- [[CY 2024 Final Rule] Upcoming Changes to HHVBP](https://qavalo.com/cy-2024-final-rule-upcoming-changes-to-hhvbp/) - The 2024 Home Health Final Payment Rule, released on November 1, 2023, brings significant changes directly impacting the Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) model in 2025. We have summarized these changes and added some notes about their implications. While VBP generally stays the same in 2024, maintaining the 2022 baseline, the changes will be brought about by
- [Key Takeaways: CY 2024 Home Health Final Payment Rule](https://qavalo.com/key-takeaways-cy-2024-home-health-final-payment-rule/) - Key Takeaways From the CY 2024 Home Health Final Payment Rule
- [Quality Reporting Compliance: What Qualifies as Quality Care Episode?](https://qavalo.com/quality-reporting-compliance-what-qualifies-as-quality-care-episode/) - Last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued notifications to home health agencies found to be non-compliant with the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQRP) requirements for the calendar year (CY) 2022. Consequently, these agencies will face a 2% reduction in payment during the calendar year (CY) 2024 Annual Payment Update (APU).
- [Available now: Preview Reports for 2024 Care Compare Refresh; BIMS Explainer Video](https://qavalo.com/available-now-preview-reports-for-2024-care-compare-refresh-bims-explainer-video/) - CMS released preview reports for the 2024 Care Compare refresh, as well as an educational video about the BIMS.
- [Out Now: October 2023 OASIS Q&As](https://qavalo.com/out-now-october-2023-oasis-qas/) - CM released the October 2023 Quarterly OASIS Q&As
- [Tips for Avoiding Common Survey Deficiencies](https://qavalo.com/tips-for-avoiding-common-survey-deficiencies/) - Surveys are unannounced yet foreseeable, making it crucial for home health agencies to remain survey-ready. Survey deficiencies can have severe consequences for a home health business, particularly if they pose a risk of causing serious harm to patients. The top 10 home health survey deficiencies identified by CHAP in 2022 center on POC compliance, medication
- [OIG Report Inadequate OASIS Documentation of Falls with Major Injury](https://qavalo.com/oig-report-inadequate-oasis-documentation-of-falls-with-major-injury/) - A recent report released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on September 5th revealed that home health agencies (HHAs) failed to properly document and report a significant number of fall incidents with major injuries, among Medicare patients. According to the report, 55% of major injuries resulting from falls were inaccurately documented in the OASIS.
- [Assessing Functional Ability for an Effective Plan of Care](https://qavalo.com/assessing-functional-ability-for-an-effective-plan-of-care/) - Tips for assessing "prior level of function" when conducting a therapy evaluation and comprehensive assessment in order to create an effective home health Plan of Care
- [HHVBP Proposed Changes for 2025](https://qavalo.com/hhvbp-proposed-changes-for-2025/) - A review of the proposed changes to the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model, which will take effect in 2025.
- [5 Tips for Compliant and Patient-Centered Plan of Care](https://qavalo.com/5-tips-for-compliant-and-patient-centered-plan-of-care/) - The Plan of Care (POC) is a vital component of home health care as it promotes patient-centered services and facilitates effective collaboration among care teams working with the patient. It is also a requirement for Medicare claims reimbursement, and strict adherence to highly specific documentation guidelines is crucial. Issues related to POC compliance often result
- [Be Informed: 2024 ICD-10-CM Code Updates](https://qavalo.com/be-informed-2024-icd-10-cm-code-updates/) - The 2024 ICD coding updates will take effect on October 1st. Home health coders must understand and apply the new changes in their coding processes.
- [Now Available: Home Health PEPPER](https://qavalo.com/now-available-home-health-pepper/) - Consistent with its annual update cycle every July, the most recent version of the Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Report (PEPPER) for home health was released last month and is currently available for download from the PEPPER Resources Portal. To get your hands on the HHA PEPPER, follow these steps: Familiarize yourself with the
- [The Impact of Rejected Claims on Your Time and Money](https://qavalo.com/the-impact-of-rejected-claims-on-your-time-and-money/) - Maintaining a consistent cash flow is crucial for home health agencies amidst challenges brought by Medicare payment cuts, regulatory changes, and shifts in the payer mix among agencies. A fundamental aspect of achieving this goal is ensuring that claims are not rejected. Rejected claims can result in further reimbursement issues, ultimately slowing down your cash
- [Out Now: New OASIS Q&As](https://qavalo.com/out-now-new-oasis-qas/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a set batch of quarterly OASIS Q&As. It features inquiries received by their help desk from the second quarter after the introduction of OASIS-E and the conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in May. These Q&As offer valuable insights for navigating complex scenarios in
- [Understanding the Interim Performance Reports for HHVBP](https://qavalo.com/understanding-the-interim-performance-reports-for-hhvbp/) - Last July 21, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first official round of Interim Performance Reports (IPR) in the iQIES system. These reports contain data that will determine agencies' future Medicare rates under the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model. They feature detailed calculations that compare each agency's performance against others
- [New Data: Staffing and Growth Areas in Home Health](https://qavalo.com/new-data-staffing-and-growth-areas-in-home-health/) - A recently released 2023 benchmarking report from Home Care Pulse provided valuable insights into the growth areas and staffing crisis in the home healthcare industry. The report is based on a survey of roughly 92,000 home healthcare professionals. Ongoing Staffing Challenges Home health and hospice providers recognize recruitment and retention as their top growth area.
- [Growth in Home Healthcare Employment](https://qavalo.com/growth-in-home-healthcare-employment-in-june/) - The home healthcare industry is showing strong growth and business potential, as indicated by the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report. In June, the sector added 9,000 new jobs, suggesting the increasing demand for home health services. This growth signifies the industry's ability to create employment opportunities to effectively address the healthcare needs of
- [Key Takeaways: 2024 Home Health Proposed Payment Rule](https://qavalo.com/key-takeaways-2024-home-health-proposed-payment-rule/) - On June 30, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its FY 2024 proposed payment rule for home health services. One important change is that they are proposing a 2.2% reduction in the total home health payments, which amounts to approximately $375 million. Additionally, the agency suggests implementing a permanent behavioral adjustment
- [How to Improve Discharge Planning and Documentation](https://qavalo.com/how-to-improve-discharge-planning-and-documentation/) - Discharge planning and documentation significantly influence patient outcomes and quality reporting by demonstrating the impact of home health services on patient progress. Home health organizations should start planning for a patient's discharge from the beginning of the care, even during the initial intake. This helps set the patient up for success and better outcomes. IDEAL
- [How to Address the Ongoing LUPA Challenges](https://qavalo.com/how-to-address-the-ongoing-lupa-challenges/) - During the COVID-19 pandemic and following the implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), home health agencies faced considerable challenges managing Low-Utilization Payment Adjustments (LUPAs). Although some successfully adopted strategies to reduce LUPAs, many agencies continue to struggle. Current LUPA Landscape According to data from the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), LUPA
- [Home Health Adapts to Increasingly Complex Patient Cases](https://qavalo.com/home-health-adapts-to-increasingly-complex-patient-cases/) - Home health providers are receiving a growing number of patients with more complex medical needs, which requires more specialized care and attention. Overall, patients with higher acuity levels need additional services after leaving the hospital, which makes it more challenging for home health providers to ensure that they receive the right level of care. The
- [New PIPR is Out: What’s In It for You?](https://qavalo.com/new-pipr-is-out-whats-in-it-for-you/) - The latest version of the Performance and Improvement Progress Report (PIPR) was released in April 2023, accessible through the iQIES system, your usual source for CASPER reports. PIPRs show your current percentile ranking for each outcome measure when compared to agencies nationwide that belong to your cohort in the ongoing calculations for the 2023 Value-Based
- [Coding Query Tips and Examples](https://qavalo.com/coding-query-tips-and-examples/) - Diagnosis queries have become an increasingly vital process to ensure adequate documentation and accurate coding. However, it is often challenging to obtain timely responses from physicians regarding queries. For instance, the demanding schedules of physicians/providers make it difficult to find an appropriate time for discussions. Certain physicians/providers may also exhibit resistance or reduced cooperation when
- [A Look into the Rising Referral Rejections in Home Health](https://qavalo.com/a-look-into-the-rising-referral-rejections-in-home-health/) - Despite no COVID-19 surge this winter, rejection rates for home health referrals have risen to an all-time high of 76%. The increase is due to staffing shortages, reimbursement setbacks, and the fact that patients admitted to home health care tend to have higher acuity. This has been backed up in a 2022 report by Wellsky
- [Eyes Here: April 2023 OASIS-E Q&As](https://qavalo.com/eyes-here-april-2023-oasis-e-qas/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently published a new set of quarterly OASIS Q&As. It includes questions received by the CMS help desks from the first quarter of this year, following the implementation of the new OASIS-E. These Q&As offer valuable guidance on addressing specific OASIS-E questions in complex situations, clarifying
- [OASIS-E Challenges and Solutions: Section C and BIMS](https://qavalo.com/oasis-e-challenges-and-solutions-section-c-and-bims/) - The new OASIS-E emphasizes assessing patients' cognitive function. Section C provides detailed guidance for evaluating memory, communication skills, and decision-making. The manual also includes tools to identify delirium, such as the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS), which assesses attention, recall, and orientation. This section can improve clinicians' evaluation and care planning for patients with
- [Top Claims Denial Reasons from MACs](https://qavalo.com/top-claims-denial-reasons-from-macs/) - Knowing the top claims denial reasons from Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) is helpful for home health agencies aiming to maintain financial stability and ensure timely reimbursement. By identifying and addressing the root causes of denials, providers can improve their billing and coding practices, optimize cash flow, and ultimately enhance patient care. Rectifying denied claims is
- [Spot Common Documentation Deficiencies in Specific Code Categories](https://qavalo.com/spot-common-documentation-deficiencies-in-specific-code-categories/) - Assigning accurate medical codes involves having substantial documentation sources and meeting specific requirements based on the type of code. Certain code categories present unique documentation challenges that need to be addressed to support code assignments. Incomplete documentation with missing key information can lead to a chain of issues and problems. Beyond knowing the foundations of
- [<strong>Coding Reminders and Red Flags</strong>](https://qavalo.com/coding-reminders-and-red-flags/) - Accurate and patient-specific coding is crucial to succeeding with the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM). Proper diagnosis coding ensures you receive the appropriate payment while addressing your patients' healthcare needs. Submitting claims with coding errors can lead to the claim being returned to the agency for code adjustments, which can have long-term consequences. Regulators will likely
- [[CASE STUDY] Alleviating Clinician Workload by Outsourcing the OASIS Documentation](https://qavalo.com/alleviating-clinician-workload-by-outsourcing-the-oasis-documentation/) - Through Qavalo’s integrated clinical staffing solutions, Real Solutions Home Health Care in Delray Beach, Florida saw an upturn in their OASIS documentation and clinician experience at work. By outsourcing the charting of the OASIS, Real Solutions achieved significant improvements in the OASIS turnaround time while alleviating the weight of documentation duties for clinicians. Qavalo OASIS
- [<strong>4 Tips to Obtain Complete F2F Documentation</strong>](https://qavalo.com/4-tips-to-obtain-complete-f2f-documentation/) - According to a report from CGS Medicare, one of the top 5 Medical Review Denial Reasons for home health include the invalidity of physician certification, specifically when the required face-to-face (F2F) encounter was either missing, incomplete, or untimely. F2F encounter is crucial for coding and certifying Medicare home health services eligibility. Documentation of F2F encounters
- [<strong>Optimizing Your Medication Documentation in OASIS-E</strong>](https://qavalo.com/optimizing-your-medication-documentation-in-oasis-e/) - Assisting patients with safe medication management is one of the fundamental services that home health agencies can provide. The OASIS-E system has introduced a more holistic approach to safe and effective medication management by incorporating mechanisms that can help identify medication issues and barriers to safe self-administration and promote the development of more personalized plans
- [<strong>F2F Encounter FAQs: Everything You Need to Know</strong>](https://qavalo.com/f2f-encounter-faqs-everything-you-need-to-know/) - Three years after introducing the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), is your agency applying best practices and the right strategies for accurate and compliant coding? Coding has become more critical and complex with the implementation of PDGM and recent developments of guidelines regarding the relevance of the Face-to-Face Encounter with primary diagnosis coding. On top of
- [<strong>[QRP] Quality Reporting Updates You Need to Know</strong>](https://qavalo.com/qrp-quality-reporting-updates-you-need-to-know/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) Measure Calculations and Reporting User's Manual. This is the first update since the Version 1.0 Addendum in October 2020 and it includes important additions, deletions, language corrections, and clarifications. The User Guide updates primarily consisted of basic
- [<strong>ICD-10 Code Changes Effective April 1st; New SDoH Codes</strong>](https://qavalo.com/icd-10-code-changes-effective-april-1st-new-sdoh-codes/) - With recent efforts to capture Social Determinants of Health and its impact on patient outcomes, starting April 1, 2023, 42 new codes will be added to the ICD-10-CM with 9 of those addressing issues like inadequate housing, health literacy, and personal history of abuse. These changes are part of a broader set of updates, including
- [<strong>PHE Conclusion: What Does It Mean for Home Health?</strong>](https://qavalo.com/phe-conclusion-what-does-it-mean-for-home-health/) - The Biden administration announced that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) is set to conclude on May 11, 2023, after 3 years. While home health stakeholders initially feared the end of the PHE, it appears that it may not have as significant an impact on home health as expected, although there will be some ripple
- [Positioning for Growth: How one home health agency grew their business by 65% in one year](https://qavalo.com/how-one-home-health-agency-grew-their-business/) - Note: In the interest of client confidentiality, the agency name was changed for this case study. When their documentation process was streamlined, this agency shifted to focus more on patient care and scaling the business —allowing them to grow by 65% in less than a year. Endeavor Home Health in California set out to
- [<strong>OASIS-E: A Key Factor in HHVBP Performance</strong>](https://qavalo.com/oasis-e-a-key-factor-in-hhvbp-performance/) - In 2023, two significant changes have been introduced to home health: the new OASIS-E and the nationwide expansion of the home health value-based purchasing (HHVBP) program. Home health organizations must be knowledgeable of the new OASIS data set and the measures impacting the HHVBP Total Performace Score to optimize reimbursements and earn payment incentives. HHVBP
- [<strong>Heads-up: New Telehealth G-Codes</strong>](https://qavalo.com/heads-up-new-telehealth-g-codes/) - Home health agencies currently have the option to deliver some services using telecommunications technology as part of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) waivers granted by CMS to allow more flexibility for providers to provide consistent patient care. However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) emphasizes that telehealth services should never replace home visits
- [More OASIS-E Guidance from the January 2023 OASIS Q&As](https://qavalo.com/more-oasis-e-guidance-from-the-january-2023-oasis-qas/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have released the January 2023 OASIS Q&A sessions, which provide guidance on OASIS-E documentation in complex situations. These questions which were received by the CMS help desk from Q4 of 2022 address certain topics about BIMS interview items, mental status, and SDoH, among others. By answering these
- [<strong>2023 Top Home Health Industry Forecasts</strong>](https://qavalo.com/2023-top-home-health-industry-forecasts/) - 2023 is looking like a double-edged sword for the home health industry as it is poised to bring challenges, as well as opportunities. Medicare payment cuts will still have an impact on home health, which, consequently, will have a major influence on how home health organizations and stakeholders will maneuver the landscape this year. We’ve
- [How to Document SDoH for Better Outcomes](https://qavalo.com/how-to-document-sdoh-for-better-outcomes/) - Part of the new assessment items in the OASIS-E are the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). SDoH describe environmental and socioeconomic conditions that affect a wide range of health functioning, quality-of-life outcomes, and risks, including but not limited to the ability to access healthy food, live in a safe environment, visit a health provider, and
- [Business Growth and Financial Health in Home-Based Care for 2023](https://qavalo.com/business-growth-and-financial-health-in-home-based-care-for-2023/) - A recent survey on home-based care providers, including home health, shares insight into the financial health and growth strategy of these organizations going into 2023. While there’s a huge chunk of survey participants, 65% to be exact, that agree with the incredible growth of home care during the pandemic, this does not exclude them from
- [<strong>Final OASIS-E Guidance Manual: What Changed?</strong>](https://qavalo.com/final-oasis-e-guidance-manual-what-changed/) - Following the release and revision of the draft manual in May 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Final OASIS-E Guidance Manual on December 14. The final manual is available for download on the CMS website under the OASIS User Manuals page. Moreover, a log of changes since the last posting
- [Out Now: OASIS-E Final Instrument and Guidance Manual](https://qavalo.com/out-now-oasis-e-final-instrument-and-guidance-manual/) - On December 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final version of the OASIS-E instrument on their Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) website under OASIS Data Sets (see the downloads section at the bottom of the page). To recall, CMS has posted draft versions of the OASIS-E Instrument and
- [CMS Issues HHVBP Pre-Implementation Performance Report (PIPR)](https://qavalo.com/be-in-the-know-cms-issues-resources-for-hhvbp/) - To gear up for the implementation of the expanded home health value-based purchasing (HHVBP) model in 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has already issued the November 2022 Pre-Implementation Performance Report (PIPR) to all active home health agencies, which is now available to download iQIES Portal. With the PIPRs, home health agencies
- [[UPDATED] Major Changes in the new OASIS-E: Restructured Sections, Additional Assessments](https://qavalo.com/oasis-e-updates-and-preparing-for-them/) - With the release of the latest OASIS-E draft last February 1, now is good timing for home health agencies to already start training with the new changes. By January 1, 2023, the OASIS-E will be implemented in line with the nationwide expansion of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model. Many new changes will shift
- [Care Compare Update: New Information On Home Health-Physician Relationships](https://qavalo.com/care-compare-update-new-information-on-home-health-physician-relationships/) - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced on Monday, November 14, that it would make new updates to Care Compare, the all-in-one search tool for consumers seeking home health, hospice, and other Medicare-reimbursed healthcare services. What’s New? Care Compare will now include new information on providers’ relationships with doctors and clinicians, which will be
- [Stay Updated: October 2022 OASIS Q&As](https://qavalo.com/stay-updated-october-2022-oasis-qas/) - The October 2022 OASIS Q&As by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been released, which address OASIS questions from their help desks. The new set of Q&As shed light on how to deal with specific OASIS items in complex scenarios including new assessment items in the upcoming OASIS-E. Here are some notable
- [Key Takeaways: FY 2023 Home Health Final Payment Rule](https://qavalo.com/key-takeaways-fy-2023-home-health-final-payment-rule/) - Just recently on Monday, October 31, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its FY 2023 home health final payment rule. While it presents particular financial challenges that providers may face in the near future, it has brought better news than what was expected. To recall, CMS projected a 4.2% aggregate
- [Are You Paying Enough Attention to Staff Training?](https://qavalo.com/are-you-paying-enough-attention-to-staff-training/) - On top of severe staffing shortages, effective and engaging training programs remain crucial in home health. Despite this, the industry currently faces a growing concern about the lack of engagement in training as it was identified as the number one complaint from staff in 2021. A new survey from a care intelligence provider consolidated data
- [Industry Insight: Staffing and Professional Development](https://qavalo.com/industry-insight-staffing-and-professional-development/) - Amidst the staffing challenges that the industry faces today, training and professional development have become more critical to overall home care operations. However, according to the recent Home Care Staffing and Professional Development Survey 2022, only a little more than half of providers have established professional advancement programs for their staff. Continued professional development plays
- [The Importance of Therapy Under HHVBP](https://qavalo.com/the-importance-of-therapy-under-hhvbp/) - A Gerontological Society of America study stated that “home health patients are at greatest risk of hospitalizations within the first weeks of home health. Over 25% of hospitalization occurred in the first 6 days and over 50% occurred in the first 2 weeks.” Another study based on 1.4 million Medicare cases from the Centers for
- [Streamline Your QAPI: Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA)](https://qavalo.com/streamline-your-qapi-plan-do-study-act-pdsa/) - With the upcoming expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) in 2023, the importance of the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) program is highlighted even more. Since QAPI is instrumental in improving quality scores, home health agencies must take advantage of it to stay ahead of the game amidst the new HHVBP landscape. However, implementing a
- [New 2023 ICD-10 Code Sets: Things to Watch Out for](https://qavalo.com/new-2023-icd-10-code-sets-things-to-watch-out-for/) - As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) transitions to the 2023 ICD-10-CM codes with over 1,000 changes, home health providers need to prepare for increased specificity to be reimbursed for services. The 2023 ICD-10-CM coding changes are effective from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. The changes that require your attention by
- [Preparing for OASIS-E: Health Literacy](https://qavalo.com/preparing-for-oasis-e-health-literacy/) - In the last few years, health equity has been receiving a lot of attention from the government. Medicare-certified home health agencies will be contributing data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by 2023 with new OASIS-E items that are “social determinants of health (SDoH).” These SDoH items will shed light on how
- [New Coding Changes from the 2023 Proposed Rule](https://qavalo.com/new-coding-changes-from-the-2023-proposed-rule/) - While the proposed payment rule is yet to be finalized, home health providers need to familiarize themselves with the impending coding changes and how these will affect Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) calculations. Based on the proposed payment rule, we have made a breakdown of possible coding-related changes to look out for. Coding for Recertifications Currently,
- [Strengthening QAPI for HHVBP](https://qavalo.com/strengthening-qapi-for-hhvbp/) - Along with the outset of Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) in 2023 is the heightened importance of the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. QAPI program plays an integral role in HHVBP, which is why it is important for home health agencies to improve and leverage their QAPI program to avoid being at the losing
- [New Data Show Home Health Jobs Are Increasing](https://qavalo.com/new-data-show-home-health-jobs-are-increasing/) - Recent data from a healthcare research and consultancy firm show growth in employment in the home health field. These numbers come after many retired or moved to other healthcare settings during the onset of COVID-19. Based on related data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 1.57 million workers were employed in home health
- [Prepare for More Audits Coming](https://qavalo.com/prepare-for-more-audits-coming/) - Industry experts believe there will be an increase in audits over the next year, following a slower audit period during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Audits similar to the ones conducted by unified program integrity contractors (UPICs) hired by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have gained momentum in home health
- [Stricter Compliance in Home Health: Is Your Agency Ready?](https://qavalo.com/stricter-compliance-in-home-health-is-your-agency-ready/) - As the demand for home health care increases and Medicare dollars go more into home-based care, it is certain that there will also be higher scrutiny for the quality of care that will be delivered. 2023 is the first full performance year of the expanded home health value-based purchasing (HHVBP) with payment adjustments realized in
- [Greater Market Share for Home Health: Challenges and Opportunities](https://qavalo.com/greater-market-share-for-home-health-challenges-and-opportunities/) - The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPac) July 2022 data revealed that the home health industry gained a more significant share of post-acute care admissions following the COVID-19 pandemic onset. This confirms the assumption that home health agencies were gaining more patient admissions that may have previously gone to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The Shift to
- [Stay Updated: New OASIS Q&As (July 2022)](https://qavalo.com/out-now-new-oasis-qas-july-2022/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new set of quarterly OASIS Q&As that address OASIS questions received by their help desks. The Q&As provide guidance on how to respond to certain M and GG items in complex scenarios. One of the best ways to prepare for the shift to OASIS-E is
- [Preparing Ahead: 2023 Home Health Predictions](https://qavalo.com/preparing-ahead-2023-home-health-predictions/) - A recent industry report examined how the pandemic affected home health and how the industry will cope in the coming years. It provides useful predictions and insights on how certain strategies will help the industry and its players succeed. With already less than a year until 2023 and all the significant changes underway, agencies need
- [Patient Satisfaction in Value-based Purchasing: How Important Is It?](https://qavalo.com/patient-satisfaction-in-value-based-purchasing-how-important-is-it/) - Home health agencies need to start gearing up for the imminent 2023 performance year of the expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) program by understanding the data sources and measures used in the calculation of performance scores and corresponding payment adjustments. While the OASIS and claims-based components are data-driven, the Home Health Consumer Assessment of
- [Preparing for OASIS-E: A Step-By-Step Guide](https://qavalo.com/preparing-for-oasis-e-a-step-by-step-guide/) - In the face of the shifting home health landscape and in anticipation of the implementation of the OASIS-E and expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) on January 1, 2023, home health agencies must focus on the best ways to prepare for it. The industry’s transition from OASIS-D1 to OASIS-E aims to better align with other
- [Survey Results: Key Insights for Optimizing Agency Operations](https://qavalo.com/survey-results-key-insights-for-optimizing-agency-operations/) - A new study that reflects data from over 1,000 home health agencies provides key insights into how agencies can optimize performance and operations. The study examined which agencies were performing the best clinically, operationally, and financially, focusing on technology, palliative care, staffing, and future care delivery models. The gathered data is of utmost importance because
- [2023 Home Health Proposed Payment Rule: What You Should Know](https://qavalo.com/2023-home-health-proposed-payment-rule-what-you-should-know/) - Last June 17, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2023 home health proposed payment rule—and it has not been received well. It validates the concerns that providers have had since the hospice and skilled nursing facility proposed payment rule was released, as well as worries related to the rebalancing of
- [Analyzing the Declining Referral Acceptance Rate](https://qavalo.com/analyzing-the-declining-referral-acceptance-rate/) - Patient referrals to post-acute care, including home health, have increased by 33%. However, despite this, the acceptance rate has decreased by 15%. In addition to the existing staffing shortage, what has been destabilizing the referral chain is that patients being discharged from hospitals tend to be higher acuity, according to a new report, which presents
- [Optimizing Wound Care for PDGM and the Value-based Era](https://qavalo.com/optimizing-wound-care-for-pdgm-and-the-value-based-era/) - Under the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), the wound clinical grouping is one of the clinical groupings with the highest reimbursement potential. It includes cases that fall into the assessment, treatment, and evaluation of surgical wounds, non-surgical wounds, ulcers, burns, and other lesions. Improving wound care helps home health agencies build confidence to not just accept
- [The Difference Between Initial Assessment and SOC Comprehensive Assessment](https://qavalo.com/the-difference-between-initial-assessment-and-soc-comprehensive-assessment/) - The initial assessment and start of care (SOC) comprehensive assessment are two separate requirements under the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and, therefore, different from each other, even though both can be done at the first visit in the home. Moreover, due to COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- [Out Now: OASIS-E Updated Instrument and Guidance Manual](https://qavalo.com/out-now-oasis-e-updated-instrument-and-guidance-manual/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the draft OASIS-E Guidance Manual, which provides guidelines for the 27 new items added to the OASIS-E Instrument that will be implemented on January 1, 2023. An updated version of the draft OASIS-E Instrument was also posted, along with an outline of the revisions made
- [Value-Based Care Survey Shows Optimism and Growth Opportunities](https://qavalo.com/value-based-care-survey-shows-optimism-and-growth-opportunities/) - The value-based care model was intended to be beneficial not only to patients, but also to healthcare providers. However, a recent survey reflecting the views of home-based care professionals on navigating value-based care showed that 63% of providers are either on the fence or indifferent about its impact. At the same time, the survey results
- [Care Compare April 2022 Refresh; Quality Reporting Updates](https://qavalo.com/care-compare-april-2022-refresh-quality-reporting-updates/) - The latest results from the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) are now available on the April 2022 quarterly refresh in Care Compare, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) initiative that provides a user-friendly interface on their website that patients and caregivers can use to search for and compare doctors, clinicians, and providers
- [Stay Updated: New OASIS Q&As (April 2022)](https://qavalo.com/stay-updated-new-oasis-qas-april-2022/) - A new set of quarterly OASIS Q&As was released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide guidance on OASIS questions received by their help desks. The Q&As provide guidance on how to respond to certain M and GG items in complex scenarios. Here are some that are worth taking note of:
- [A Guide to Securing Compliant F2F Documentation](https://qavalo.com/a-guide-to-securing-compliant-f2f-documentation/) - Face-to-face (F2F) encounter is crucial in certifying eligibility for Medicare home health services. Documentation of F2F encounters must be included in the start of care (SOC) certification as a requirement for payment and should be related to the primary reason for the home care admission. Subsequent episodes cannot occur without a complete initial certification, which
- [How to Leverage Telehealth to Drive Business Growth](https://qavalo.com/how-to-leverage-telehealth-to-drive-business-growth/) - Over the last two years, telehealth usage has increased significantly. During the peak of the pandemic, virtual visits suddenly became the only way to reach some patients. Telehealth services grew by more than 1,000% in March of 2020 and more than 4,000% in April of that year, according to a study. Although, from January to
- [Gearing Up for HHVBP National Expansion: Where to Begin](https://qavalo.com/gearing-up-for-hhvbp-national-expansion-where-to-begin/) - Several agencies have attested that the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) initiative has meaningfully improved the quality of care for their patients. There has been a decline in the re-hospitalization of home health patients, which led to an average of 141 million dollars of yearly savings on Medicare spending. Moreover, the average improvement for quality
- [What to Expect for Home-based Care in 2022](https://qavalo.com/what-to-expect-for-home-based-care-in-2022/) - In spite of the pandemic, a recent survey of 386 home health and home care professionals showed that there is a growing demand and real optimism for home-based care. The survey revealed how the industry is taking action in terms of navigating the evolution of home-based care, investing in technology to improve efficiency and care delivery,
- [How to Document Medical Necessity for Therapy Care](https://qavalo.com/how-to-document-medical-necessity-for-therapy-care/) - Although therapy is no longer a financial driver under the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), it remains crucial for skilled therapy services to meet the criteria for medical necessity in order to lessen the risk of payment reduction. All visits performed for therapy are subject to evaluation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- [[UPDATED] Navigating NOA Filing Issues](https://qavalo.com/navigating-noa-filing-issues/) - From January 1 of this year, the no-pay Request for Anticipated Payment (RAP) was replaced by the Notice of Admission (NOA). However, since its launch, agencies have been encountering issues in filing the new NOA. While it was intended to be less complicated, the launch, however, has run into some serious issues. Common Filing Issues
- [A Look at the Home Health Staffing Landscape in 2022](https://qavalo.com/a-look-at-the-home-health-staffing-landscape-in-2022/) - A recent survey for the home health and home care professionals provided insights into the present staffing situation of the industry. It revealed some key staffing pain points and opportunities in home-based care for 2022 by asking how home-based care providers are mitigating employee churn, maximizing the efficiency of their operations, and navigating labor shortages.
- [Eyes Here: New OASIS Q&As (January 2022)](https://qavalo.com/eyes-here-new-oasis-qas-january-2022/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the latest OASIS Q&As, which provide guidance to OASIS questions received by their help desk from the fourth quarter of 2021. This set of Q&As includes a number of insights, such as updates on OASIS-E, clarifications on its data collection timeline, and guidelines on coding
- [[2022] What’s on the Horizon for Home Health?](https://qavalo.com/2022-whats-on-the-horizon-for-home-health/) - It has been a rough start to 2022 with the onset of the COVID-19 Omicron variant spreading like wildfire. This alone makes it difficult to predict what will happen in the coming months. As the public health emergency drags on, it creates a domino effect of changes, both good and bad, for home health. Notwithstanding,
- [Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Health Documentation Signature Guidelines](https://qavalo.com/signed-sealed-delivered-home-health-documentation-signature-guidelines/) - Similar to the risks of failing to sign a legal document, home health documentation signatures are critical as it validates the healthcare services received by patients. The purpose of a practitioner’s signature in patients’ medical records and other important documents is to demonstrate that services submitted to Medicare have been accurately and fully documented, reviewed,
- [CoP Changes for Occupational Therapists](https://qavalo.com/cop-changes-for-occupational-therapists/) - Some changes to the home health Conditions of Participation (CoP) that were implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) have been made permanent in the 2022 home health final rule effective January 1st. One of these changes is the blanket waiver that allows occupational therapists to conduct the initial home health assessment visit and
- [Heads Up: New Changes in the Functional Level Scoring](https://qavalo.com/changes-in-the-functional-level-scoring/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services made updates to the functional-level points thresholds in the CY 2022 final rule. CY 2020 claims data were used to update the functional points and functional impairment levels by the clinical group. The update includes decreasing points on several of the OASIS scores and decreasing the threshold level
- [Be Updated: New CY 2022 Comorbidity Subgroups](https://qavalo.com/be-updated-new-cy-2022-comorbidity-subgroups/) - The CY 2022 home health final payment rule implements important changes in PDGM calculations. Among these changes is the expansion of the comorbidity groups. Nine (9) new subgroups were added to the Low Comorbidity category, while three (3) existing ones were removed, for a total of 20 subgroups. Furthermore, 56 new interactions were added (on
- [How Proactive Coding and a Comprehensive OASIS QA Program Can Help Optimize Reimbursements](https://qavalo.com/how-proactive-coding-and-a-comprehensive-oasis-qa-program-can-help-optimize-reimbursements/) - *In the interest of client confidentiality, the agency name was changed for this case study. Using efficient coding and OASIS documentation solutions, Endeavor Home Care optimized its reimbursement levels and improved the performance of its clinicians with the help of Qavalo. Qavalo’s expert coders were able to capture all diagnosis codes deduced from medical records
- [[UPDATED] From RAP to NOA: How to Prepare for the Switch](https://qavalo.com/updated-from-rap-to-noa-how-to-prepare-for-the-switch/) - Effective January 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will replace the No-Pay Request for Anticipated Payment (RAP) with a home health Notice of Admission (NOA). To recap, the No-Pay RAP was implemented in 2021 as part of the home health regulatory changes of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA of
- [[UPDATED] From RAP to NOA: How to Prepare for the Switch](https://qavalo.com/from-rap-to-noa-how-to-prepare-for-the-switch/) - Effective January 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will replace the No-Pay Request for Anticipated Payment (RAP) with a home health Notice of Admission (NOA). To recap, the No-Pay RAP was implemented in 2021 as part of the home health regulatory changes of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA of
- [Medical Necessity Documentation 101](https://qavalo.com/medical-necessity-documentation-101/) - Medical Necessity: A Top Reason for Denials During the first quarter of 2021, the top five reasons for denials identified by Medicare Administrative Contractors revolve around inadequate medical necessity documentation. This can also be linked to a related data from Q1 of 2020 identifying 32% of home health claims were denied due to lack of
- [In Summary: 2022 Home Health Final Rule](https://qavalo.com/in-summary-2022-home-health-final-rule/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the 2022 home health final payment rule. The highlight of which is how agencies nationwide will soon be subject to the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model, which is recognized as one of the most successful alternative payment models ever. According to CMS, the goal
- [How to Build an Effective QAPI Program](https://qavalo.com/how-to-build-an-effective-qapi-program/) - QAPI: What is it and why is it important? As the pressure to transition towards value-based care increases, home health agencies must implement an effective Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program to improve patient care and documentation, and maintain compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoP). QAPI is one of the new and modernized
- [Q3 2021 OASIS Q&As: More OASIS Documentation Guidance](https://qavalo.com/q3-2021-oasis-qas-more-oasis-documentation-guidance/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just released their Q3 OASIS Q&As, providing more insights and guidance on OASIS documentation. The new set of Q&As sheds light on answering OASIS items on confusing and complex scenarios. Questions included were received directly by CMS help desks. Out of these, here are selected specific questions
- [TPE Is Back: Here’s What You Need to Know](https://qavalo.com/tpe-is-back-heres-what-you-need-to-know/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Targeted Probe & Educate (TPE) program has resumed after being suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Although some medical reviews resumed in August 2020, the TPE program remained on pause. What is the TPE program? TPE is a very
- [Key Takeaways: Home Health Staffing Survey 2021](https://qavalo.com/key-takeaways-home-health-staffing-survey-2021/) - How Staffing Remains to Be a Challenge Results from a recent online survey on home health staffing that was conducted between July 21 and August 6, 2021 have been released. When the year started, staffing was identified as the top challenge for home health according to the 2021 Outlook Survey by Home Health Care News.
- [Do You Understand the Documentation Needs of Your Clinicians?](https://qavalo.com/do-you-understand-the-documentation-needs-of-your-clinicians/) - The Importance of Documentation Needless to say, clinical documentation is vital for a number of reasons. It is used to communicate a patient's medical background to staff, provides evidence of positive outcomes, quality care, and improvement, and determines agencies’ reimbursement claims. Documentation also protects both the provider and the patient. Ensuring its accuracy and completion
- [PDGM Challenges: Optimizing Profitability Through Efficient OASIS Turnaround](https://qavalo.com/pdgm-challenges-optimizing-profitability-through-efficient-oasis-turnaround/) - When OASIS submission, coding, and QA review were streamlined, Qavalo's client agencies saw significant improvements in their OASIS turnaround time and realized better compliance and profitability. With the right outsourcing partner, Qavalo clients have been able to get the support their in-house teams need to find efficiencies in their documentation workflow and seize big
- [Eyes Here: FY 2022 New Coding Guidelines](https://qavalo.com/eyes-here-fy-2022-new-coding-guidelines/) - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the fiscal year (FY) 2022 ICD-10-CM diagnosis code update on June 24, 2021, effective for discharges and encounters or visits on or after October 1, 2021. A total of 165 codes were added, along with other adjustments. The full list of diagnosis codes that have been
- [[Part 1] Is Your Agency Survey-Ready? Reviewing Common Deficiencies on the CoPs](https://qavalo.com/part-1-is-your-agency-survey-ready-reviewing-common-deficiencies-on-the-cops/) - For a time, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) suspended certain surveys and routine inspections, and temporarily froze survey data in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with this pause was the prioritization of infection control and immediate jeopardy situations to allow healthcare providers and suppliers the time they needed
- [Business Growth Potential in Medicare and Home Health](https://qavalo.com/business-growth-potential-in-medicare-and-home-health/) - A Rising Demand for Medicare Programs By 2030, the entire baby-boom generation will have reached the age of eligibility for Medicare, hence the rapid acceleration in enrollment from 62 million (in 2020) to 78 million. This increased enrollment will also trigger an increase in Medicare expenditures, particularly with home health covering a significant chunk
- [Q2 OASIS Q&As: New Guidance on GG Items](https://qavalo.com/q2-oasis-qas-new-guidance-on-gg-items/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just recently released their Q2 OASIS Q&As providing insights into the latest updates on OASIS documentation. The new set of Q&As provides important guidance specifically on updating the OASIS within (or after) the 5-day Request for Anticipated Payment (RAP) filing window and on scoring several M
- [Shortage in Direct Care Workers: How Home Health Agencies Can Help](https://qavalo.com/shortage-in-direct-care-workers-how-home-health-agencies-can-help/) - While there is currently an alarming shortage of nursing professionals in the US, another looming crisis, this time in the pool of direct care workers, stands to hurt the entire healthcare ecosystem, including home health care, if left unchecked. Direct care workers refers to nursing assistants/aids (nursing homes, hospitals, assisted-living facilities, other community-based settings),
- [Best Practices for Coding Under PDGM](https://qavalo.com/best-practices-for-coding-under-pdgm/) - Since the implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) in 2020, there have been new complexities in home health coding that have made it challenging for agencies to optimize reimbursements. Data from 2020 revealed that home health organizations did not meet CMS reimbursement projections in the first year of PDGM. Total home health case
- [[QRP] Quality Reporting Program: Why You Should Pay More Attention to It](https://qavalo.com/qrp-quality-reporting-program-why-you-should-pay-more-attention-to-it/) - Transition to Value-Based Care The healthcare industry, particularly home health, is a landscape that is constantly changing with frequent updates on regulatory requirements and new standards. In an effort to improve payment systems, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently been promoting value-based care in home health in which the Home
- [Key Takeaways: 2022 Proposed Payment Rule; HHVBP National Expansion](https://qavalo.com/key-takeaways-2022-proposed-payment-rule-hhvbp-national-expansion/) - Last June 28, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) proposed rule for 2022, which re-focuses the shift from paying for home health services based on volume to a system that incentivizes higher quality care. One of the most significant and noteworthy changes is
- [Value-Based Care: What It Means for Your Agency](https://qavalo.com/value-based-care-what-it-means-for-your-agency/) - Recent discussions about the expansion of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model (HHVBP) signal major reforms on the horizon for home health operations and payment systems. Allow us to dive into what this means for the different industry stakeholders: What Is Value-Based Care? According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), value-based
- [Real LUPA Scenarios: Finding What Works](https://qavalo.com/real-lupa-scenarios-finding-what-works/) - LUPA and the Pandemic In the first few months of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), the frequency of low-utilization payment adjustments (LUPAs) increased for many home health providers to 9.5% according to a home health news source. While this aligns with the projection from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that about 10%
- [Hello world!](https://qavalo.com/hello-world/) - Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!
- [Staffing: Is It a Problem for You Too?](https://qavalo.com/staffing-is-it-a-problem-for-you-too/) - Staffing Is Home Health’s Biggest Challenge The 2021 Outlook Survey by Home Health Care News (HHCN) revealed that 59% of the respondents said that staffing remains their single-most challenging aspect of home health operations. With the onset of COVID-19, healthcare demand has increased drastically, overwhelming the supply of clinicians. Home health providers have struggled with
- [OASIS Q1 Update: Decoding GG Codes](https://qavalo.com/oasis-q1-update-decoding-gg-codes/) - The Challenge The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressed concerns regarding GG codes in the recently released Outcome Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Q&As for quarter 1 of 2021. Clinicians still find it challenging to correctly assess and code the functional M items and the GG items since the revision of OASIS from version
- [Is Your Agency Ready for Interoperability?](https://qavalo.com/is-your-agency-ready-for-interoperability/) - The New CMS ADT Mandate There is a new mandate from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on sharing admissions, discharge, and transfer (ADT) data among care providers, with the aim of improving care coordination and lowering readmissions. As of May 1, the new regulation will require hospitals to notify all applicable
- [ADR Simplified: Tips for Success](https://qavalo.com/adr-simplified-tips-for-success/) - Receiving an Additional Development Request (ADR) from any Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) can induce anxiety, especially if it is the first time for a home health agency. However, receiving ADRs does not necessarily mean a mistake has been committed by the agency. It could merely be to verify that the claim meets Medicare payment
- [Are Home Health Workers Getting Vaccinated?](https://qavalo.com/are-home-health-workers-getting-vaccinated/) - The rollout of vaccines for COVID-19 has received mixed reactions among healthcare workers. What should be deemed as a light at the end of the tunnel is perceived by many as a premature solution to the ongoing pandemic. Healthcare workers were the first in the United States to be offered COVID-19 vaccinations. But three
- [Does More Time on EMRs Mean Higher Efficiency?](https://qavalo.com/does-more-time-on-emrs-mean-higher-efficiency/) - Recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and Medical Care (JAMA) analyzed timestamp data from electronic medical records (EMRs) to examine how much time U.S. clinicians spend on EMR documentation and how it affects patient care. This concern has been around for years, and it still remains relevant today because
- [[TECH] Transforming Home Health Care with AI](https://qavalo.com/tech-transforming-home-health-care-with-ai/) - It’s 2021, so it’s no surprise that artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly growing in the healthcare industry. A recently published survey on home health care revealed meaningful insights into many agencies’ challenges and areas of growth. The 2021 Home Health Care News Outlook Survey and Report showed that one of the top three takeaways
- [Pre-Claim Review: Top Reasons for Non-Affirmation](https://qavalo.com/pre-claim-review-top-reasons-for-non-affirmations/) - [UPDATED] On March 26, CMS announced the extension of the phased-in participation of the Review Choice Demonstration for Home Health Agencies in Florida and North Carolina for an additional 90 days starting April 1st. Between April 1 and April 15, providers who participated in Cycle 1 were given the chance to choose from a
- [[HIT] The New Home Infusion Therapy Benefit, Explained](https://qavalo.com/hit-the-new-home-infusion-therapy-benefit-explained/) - With the Patient-Driven Grouping Model (PDGM) ruling out therapy volume as a driving factor for reimbursements, home health agencies are challenged to explore ways to optimize utilization and revenue base. The new Medicare Home Infusion Therapy (HIT) benefit, which took effect on January 1st, 2021, holds the potential for home health agencies to offer
- [2021 Top Challenges and Opportunities in Home Health](https://qavalo.com/2021-top-challenges-and-opportunities-in-home-health/) - A recent survey covering the home health industry reveals the greatest challenges in the year ahead, areas of expense specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, technology adoption, and areas of growth and efficiency, among other findings. Key takeaway Staffing remains the single most challenging aspect of home health. It’s been a top concern for
- [New RAP Filing Tips That Actually Work](https://qavalo.com/new-rap-filing-tips-that-actually-work/) - The new no-pay Request for Anticipated Payment (RAP) requirement is perhaps the most notable change home health agencies have had to prepare for in compliance with the CY2021 Home Health Final Rule, which took effect January 1st. As agencies are getting into the rhythm of the new timeline for no-pay RAPs, more questions and challenges
- [[VBP] What you can expect from the expansion of Value-Based Purchasing](https://qavalo.com/vbp-what-you-can-expect-from-the-expansion-of-value-based-purchasing/) - Home health agencies received good news from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) when the expansion of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model was signed off and announced last January 8. First implemented in 2016, the HHVBP Model has only been active in nine states: Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Washington,
- [Home Care Insight: Overcoming Top Workforce Challenges](https://qavalo.com/home-care-insight-overcoming-top-workforce-challenges/) - A recent survey revealed the top workforce challenges that the healthcare industry is currently facing, with the effects of the COVID-19 health crisis. Among the reported workforce challenges were: Hiring qualified job candidates at 67% Employee turnover at 57% The pandemic's impact on healthcare organizations across the US is a major contributor to these numbers
- [Gear up for Success: Key Areas To Focus on in 2021](https://qavalo.com/gearing-up-for-2021-what-your-agency-should-focus-on/) - Are you ready for the changes taking effect next year? Last October 29, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final home health payment rule for 2021 with some notable updates affecting agency operations. In this article, we will recap the most important aspects of the final rule, its implications, and
- [7 Tips to Help You Recover From PDGM's Behavioral Adjustment](https://qavalo.com/7-tips-to-help-you-recover-from-pdgms-behavioral-adjustment/) - CMS has anticipated that home health agencies will adjust their documentation and coding practices under PDGM. As a response, CMS will implement a negative behavioral adjustment of 4.36% (based on final rule) to all episodes under the new payment model. According to the final rule issued on Oct 31, 2019, the following are the three
- [Accounting Associate](https://qavalo.com/accounting-associate/) - In this role, you will: Prepare and calculate billing statements Prepare and submit tax forms Compile financial records and documents and manage inventory records Ensure the accounts receivable and payable are taken care of in a timely manner Provide accounting and clerical support to the accounting manager such as but not limited to filing,
- [OASIS Encoder](https://qavalo.com/oasis-encoder/) - The primary function of the OASIS Encoder is to accurately encode OASIS charts and answer M-items and GG-codes with information from the Encoding Form and the provided referral documents guided by client set protocols. To be successful in this role you will need: Bachelor's Degree in any Allied Medical Course (i.e. Nursing, Pharmacy, Biology, PT/OT,
- [Medical Coder](https://qavalo.com/medical-coder/) - The primary function of the Medical Coder is to review medical charts and assign appropriate ICD coding and sequencing for Home Health Agency clients in the United States. In this role, you will: Review OASIS assessments and analyzes patient medical records to accurately assign ICD-10 CM codes for each diagnosis and procedures Ensure appropriate ICD-10
- [Nurse QA Specialist](https://qavalo.com/nurse-qa-specialist/) - The primary function of the Nursing QA Specialist is to review and audit Home Health Agency visit notes for documentation consistency with the patient’s Plan of Care and adherence to the quality of care guidelines set by Medicare in the United States. In this role, you will: Review all forms and clinical records for client’s
- [Data Analyst](https://qavalo.com/data-analyst/) - The primary function of the Data Analyst is to gather, interpret and analyze data needed to guide management in optimizing business functions and decisions. This individual will also manage and coordinate directly with the CEO for special projects that will require data analysis for business innovations within the healthcare space. In this role, you will:
- [Allied Health Professionals as Medical Chart Reviewer](https://qavalo.com/medical-allied-professionals-as-qa-specialist/) - The primary function of the Medical Chart Reviewer is to review and audit Home Health Agency visit notes for documentation consistency with the patient’s Plan of Care and adherence to the quality of care guidelines set by Medicare in the United States. In this role, you will: Review all forms and clinical records for client’s
- [Physical Therapy QA Specialist](https://qavalo.com/physical-therapy-qa-specialist/) - The primary function of the Physical Therapist / Occupational Therapist QA Specialist is to audit Home Health Agency therapy visit notes for documentation consistency with the patient’s therapy Plan of Care and adherence to the quality of care guidelines set by Medicare in the United States. In this role you will: Review accuracy of
- [Getting Your Agency Set for PDGM Rollout](https://qavalo.com/getting-your-agency-set-for-pdgm-rollout/) - The new Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) proposed by CMS will take effect on January 1st, 2020. Drastic changes in the home health industry are anticipated as this modification will greatly affect the process by which therapy services are reimbursed. Furthermore, this switch will enforce new case-mix weight calculations and shorter payment periods. With only a
- [Optimizing Your New Progress to Goals Feature](https://qavalo.com/optimizing-your-new-progress-to-goals-feature/) - To support compliance with Medicare's new Conditions of Participation (CoPs), Kinnser’s new Progress to Goals feature was introduced to promote patient-specific and measurable goal tracking. While it purportedly offers more efficient documentation, it has also presented challenges for some agencies adjusting to the new functionality. This new feature is currently optional, but we wouldn’t be
- [Moving Forward with CoP Updates: A 5-Point Checklist](https://qavalo.com/moving-forward-with-cop-updates/) - The new Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs) took effect last January 13, 2018, and we expect it to be just the first of many changes geared towards improving quality of care and protecting the rights of beneficiaries. The new rules will greatly impact home health agencies, requiring a patient-centered care coordination, effective communication and better
- [Outsourcing Your QA Process: What You Need to Know](https://qavalo.com/outsourcing-your-qa-process/) - Offshore outsourcing is a major step for your home health agency, but is it really legal? The answer is yes. Outsourcing offshore is totally legal. In fact, US legislation has passed specific regulations and clear guidelines for healthcare providers and their outsourcing partners. More US companies are leaning towards outsourcing their processes overseas, and the
- [QAPI Realized: Systematic Analysis and Systematic Action (Part 5 of 5)](https://qavalo.com/qapi-realized-systematic-analysis-and-systematic-action/) - Published Mar 31, 2017 | 08:37 The final part of our QAPI guide, "Systematic Analysis and Systematic Action” discusses how to effectively diagnose problems, implement formulated solutions and maintain sustainable improvements. Your agency should efficiently coordinate all QAPI elements, then draw out concrete protocols mainly concerning organization and delivery of care services. We listed some
- [QAPI Realized: Performance Improvement Projects (Part 4 of 5)](https://qavalo.com/qapi-realized-performance-improvement-projects/) - Published: Mar 8, 2017 | 17:25 Part 4 in our 5-part QAPI guide, "Performance Improvement Projects" (PIP) is a focused course of action used to address specific problem areas. This is the part where data is put into action. Let us walk you through some steps to help you tackle your first successful Performance Improvement
- [QAPI Realized: Feedback, Data Systems and Monitoring (Part 3 of 5)](https://qavalo.com/qapi-realized-feedback-data-systems-and-monitoring/) - Published: Feb 10, 2016 | 10:16 This past January 2017, CMS finalized and published its final ruling on the Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation (CoP) for Home Health Agencies. Slated to take effect on July 13 of this year, the new ruling includes updates to the CoP requiring a sustainable QAPI program and
- [QAPI Realized: Governance and Leadership (Part 2 of 5)](https://qavalo.com/qapi-realized-governance-and-leadership/) - Part 2 in our 5-part QAPI guide, “Governance and Leadership”, discusses the importance of a QAPI management team. This team of dedicated leaders shall oversee the QAPI program as planned in its design and scope. Clear work objectives should be set first, emphasizing patient safety and quality care while prioritizing patient rights and choices. This
- [QAPI Realized: Design & Scope (Part 1of 5)](https://qavalo.com/qapi-realized-design-and-scope/) - Published on: Dec 21, 2016 | 10:02 Part 1 in our 5-part QAPI guide, Design and Scope tackles how “Quality Assurance – Performance Improvement” (QAPI) programs must be structured and implemented. The program will require full agency engagement from back office to patient care service, across all departments and staff. In order to be effective,
- [Qavalo: A Quick Guide to Efficient Charting](https://qavalo.com/a-quick-guide-to-efficient-charting/) - Proper charting and documentation plays a big role not just in delivering quality patient care but also in high star ratings. Although overwhelming and sometimes confusing, learning to master efficient charting methods will not only make your work easier, but also more efficient and accurate. The standard expectation is that visit notes must be
- [7 Tips for Building Good Patient Rapport](https://qavalo.com/building-good-patient-rapport/) - Published on: Oct 31, 2016 | 14:43 Going beyond the typical patient-clinician relationship can greatly impact your patient's overall care satisfaction and paves the way for favorable case outcomes, survey results and--ultimately--improved star ratings. Building patient rapport is a process that happens at every patient encounter within the care period. Although challenging, clinicians can take
- [Key Things to Look For in an Outsourcing Provider](https://qavalo.com/key-things-to-look-for-in-an-outsourcing-provider/) - Choosing the right clinical process outsourcing partner is crucial to the success of your outsourcing plan. The right choice can positively impact patient experience, employee morale, and your immediate business goals. Aside from cost, we’d like to suggest some additional criteria to help you find the right outsourcing partner: 1) Qualifications of the
- [How to Motivate Your Field Clinicians and Boost Team Morale](https://qavalo.com/motivate-your-field-clinicians/) - Published on: Oct 17, 2016 | 08:34 Keeping your employees on task is critical, but keeping them motivated can be more challenging. Unfortunately, not everyone is naturally willing to go the extra mile in their everyday efforts. Field workers tend to lose morale easily as they don’t feel part of a team or a
- [5 Tips to Prepare Your Agency For Pre-Claim Rollout In Your State](https://qavalo.com/prepare-your-agency-for-pre-claim-rollout/) - Published on: Oct. 11, 2016 | 11:58 On August 3, 2016, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated the Pre-Claim demonstration to minimize cases of fraud and inappropriate billing by requiring that agencies prove claims authenticity earlier in the care period. The rollout was first introduced in Illinois, with scheduled demonstrations in other
- [Positioning your Workforce for Growth: 4 Ways to Prepare Your Team for Outsourcing](https://qavalo.com/prepare-your-team-for-outsourcing/) - Businesses typically choose to outsource certain processes to focus on core objectives; the move offers immediate financial and operational benefits, but that doesn't mean it won't make your staff uneasy... Once you have finally decided to outsource, how do you get buy-in from your staff? In a study conducted by Thomas Kern and Leslie Willcocks
- [3 Ways Process Improvement Will Help Boost Home Health Star Ratings!](https://qavalo.com/boost-home-health-star-ratings/) - Published on: Sept. 26, 2016 | 10:01 CMS introduced Star Ratings to help the public compare quality of service among providers, but it is a known fact among agencies that the results can make or break your business and even put reputations on the line. While home health providers continue to deal with the challenges
- [The burden of EMR documentation---why you should give QA outsourcing a second look.](https://qavalo.com/the-burden-of-emr-documentation/) - Healthcare outsourcing is proving to be a reliable solution for care providers as the demands of CMS documentation standards make it more and more challenging for agencies to deliver consistent and quality patient care. What has changed? Why should you give outsourcing another chance? Here’s why: Outsourcing your Home Health Agency's Key Functions-- What's in
- [CMS Pre-Claim Review Demonstration for Home Health Services in Florida and Other States Delayed](https://qavalo.com/cms-pre-claim-review-demonstration-for-home-health/) - It can be recalled that CMS has scheduled Pre-Claim Review Demonstration in five States, namely, Illinois in August, Florida in October, Texas in November...
- [Pre-Claim Review Demonstration](https://qavalo.com/home-health-pre-claim-review-demonstration/) - CMS Pre-Claim Review Demonstration for Home Health Services in Florida and Other States Delayed The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced its decision to delay its Pre-Claim Review Demonstration in Florida. CMS came up with a decision to delay the next roll out in Florida after it received a not so favorable
- [Streamline your Home Health Business](https://qavalo.com/streamline-your-home-health-business/) - Introducing Qavalo… We offer a new, affordable business solution that lets your home health organization -- no matter how big or small --lower costs and deliver responsive, quality care for your patients. At Qavalo, our team of trained QA specialists can scale to your company’s evolving needs so you can focus on what matters most. Contact us

## Pages

- [Home](https://qavalo.com/) - Your ally in home health care We deliver an integrated clinical staffing solution and back-office support to help home health agencies focus on patient care. Observing guidelines and standards from: GET A FREE QUOTE! Which product/s are you interested in? OASIS Review Coding OASIS Charting All Services Signup form Episodic Checklist Download Free Trial Contact
- [Services](https://qavalo.com/our-services/) - Increase your efficiency with our solutions Partnering with us means getting an extension of your home health agency as we integrate our clinical staffing solutions to support your in-house team. Our Solutions OASIS CHARTING Convenient OASIS charting solution for faster documentation to allow focus on patient care while boosting employee engagement DOCUMENTATION REVIEW Comprehensive review
- [Insights](https://qavalo.com/insights/) - Get valuable industry insights We stay on top of compliance standards and industry regulations to make sure all home health stakeholders can stay ahead of the curve and be fully equipped with the latest information. Leave this field empty if you're human: Featured Case Studies [CASE STUDY] Alleviating Clinician Workload by Outsourcing the OASIS Documentation
- [Careers](https://qavalo.com/careers/) - Grow your healthcarecareer with us We are committed to bringing quality opportunities to healthcare professionals that nurture career growth and personal development. We are always on the lookout for positive and motivated new members to join #OneTeamQavalo! Check out our featured jobs. Nurse QA Specialist The primary function of the Nursing QA Specialist is to
- [About](https://qavalo.com/about/) - Get to know Qavalo We are a team of professionals with the heart and mind of clinicians who seek to optimize the home health administrative process to empower agencies to focus on patient care. Our Purpose We seek to optimize home health administrative processes to allow agencies to expand their operational capacity. Our Vision Quality
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- [OASIS Review](https://qavalo.com/oasis-review/) - With home health’s shift toward evidence-based care and constantly changing guidelines, ensuring thoroughness and accuracy of documentation is crucial in maintaining survey readiness and demonstrating high-quality home health services. Optimize your patient care data. Achieve full documentation compliance. Comprehensive review of the OASIS, Plan of Care, and relevant medical records to exhibit patient progress, ensure
- [OASIS Charting](https://qavalo.com/oasis-charting/) - With the persistent staffing challenge in home health, addressing clinician pain points and streamlining their workflows are important elements to achieving sustainable operations and continuous business growth. Fast-track OASIS completion. Reduce clinician documentation time. Let our team of clinical professionals take charge of creating the OASIS on behalf of your clinicians. Using our specialized Quick
- [Home Health Coding](https://qavalo.com/home-health-coding/) - Coding is crucial to home health as it directly impacts patient care and business. To optimize reimbursements, both knowledge and strategy are essential amidst ever-evolving guidelines and payment systems. Although coding has strict standards, home health businesses can maneuver the field through sufficient documentation, efficient care coordination, and application of best practices. Optimize your reimbursements
- [Get A Free Quote](https://qavalo.com/get-a-free-quote/) - Integrated clinical back-office solutions for home health agencies Get access to a scalable team of clinical professionals ready to support your evolving needs so you can focus on what matters most. GET A FREE QUOTE Which product/s are you interested in? OASIS Review Coding OASIS Charting All Services Signup form Episodic Checklist Download Free Trial
- [Free patient assessment tool!](https://qavalo.com/patient-assessment/) - Here's your free download. We hope you’ll find our Patient Assessment Template useful. Your download will begin shortly and you will be redirected to Qavalo’s home page after a few seconds. If the download doesn’t start immediately, click the button below. Download
- [Contact Us](https://qavalo.com/contact-us/) - Connect with us today We are here to help! Drop us a line or give us a call if you would like to know more about Qavalo and our services. Contact Us Email contact@qavalo.com Phone (US) +1 916 282 9868(PH) +63 917 506 6867 Offices Cebu PH Sites Robinsons CybergateCapitol Site, Cebu City 6000Cebu, Philippines Ayala
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## Testimonials

- [](https://qavalo.com/testimonial/4128/) - "Qavalo ensures that our charts are accurate and compliant. Qavalo provides guidance on how to get our documentation to where it needs to be. There is always concise and consistent communication between their team and ours. We have a weekly meeting to ensure everyone is always on the same page and up to speed which
- [](https://qavalo.com/testimonial/5734/) - As a fresh graduate, gaining experience is a must. Typically, that meant working in a clinical setting. But when Qavalo came along, I learned that there are many other ways to gain professional experience for a healthcare career. I don't need to worry about rusting away because working at Qavalo helps me harness my knowledge
- [](https://qavalo.com/testimonial/5731/) - Working with Qavalo for almost two years has been a great experience so far. One of the best things about being in this company is having the privilege to work with such wonderful colleagues who make my journey with the company such a delight. It's the cooperative spirit displayed by the team to achieve the
- [](https://qavalo.com/testimonial/4929/) - In my years working at Qavalo, I have always been thankful to them for providing an atmosphere of work-life balance filled with opportunities to grow and build happy, lasting memories with the team. They helped me measure up to my job's challenges. As a healthcare professional, this experience enables me to put my heart in
- [](https://qavalo.com/testimonial/4933/) - I have had the pleasure of working at Qavalo for almost a year now, and I must say it has been great. I started out as a trainee and now I'm a full-time employee working with amazing people in an amazing company, and progressing professionally and personally. The company's work environment is great and very
- [](https://qavalo.com/testimonial/4920/) - Qavalo genuinely cares for your growth, both professionally and personally. The management gives constructive criticism when it's needed and praise when it's due. I've never felt more at home, comfortable, in control, and supported. I have been very happy working with Qavalo and sincerely hope to continue working with them for a long time. Charlie
- [](https://qavalo.com/testimonial/preferred-care-home-health-services/) - "We feel confident in our ability to pass surveys and that our documentation is superior to other agencies with the help of Qavalo overseeing the QA process. Very respectable team of qualified QA professionals. Excellent communication." Kelly, QAPI Program Director Preferred Care Home Health Services
- [](https://qavalo.com/testimonial/real-solutions-home-healthcare/) - "It's been really great and they have helped us pass our survey with flying colors. Timely responses and fast turnaround time when we ask something of Qavalo. Thank you!" Angi, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services Real Solutions Home Healthcare

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