We cant fix it without your help!!!
The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts is working nationally on new strategy for a F2F fix in the House Appropriations Committee.
The Alliance, along with the Forum of State Home Care Associations (FSA) of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC), is pushing on a unified front for a simple legislative fix that would provide relief from the onerous Medicare face-to-face (F2F) rule.
The legislation would specifically allow for physician certification of the face-to-face requirement on the ‘485,’ or plan-of-care document, in place of a separate, redundant narrative requirement currently being enforced by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
What we need from you!
Massachusetts has no Congressional representative on the House Appropriations Committee, which is where we are trying to get the language introduced.
All HCA members should urge their Congressional representatives to reach out to House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) seeking assurances that the face-to-face fix is included in the House Appropriations bill.
The best way to reach your Congressional Representative is to call the main switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
In addition to calling your House representative, every Alliance member should send an e-mail. This process will only take a minute of your time. Click HERE to send a message to Congress with a push of the button.
Script for Phone Call or email
Please Help Home Care: Insert F2F Fix in Appropriations Bill
The home care industry needs your help to fix the face-to-face encounter rule. This federal rule requires a physician to certify that he or she has seen a home care patient face-to-face for authorization of home care services. The problem is not so much the requirement itself, but CMS’ interpretation of the requirement, and its expectations for physicians to document it. A simple line of legislative language would clarify Congress’ intent for the regulation to be met with the least disruption in patient care services.
Please work with your Congressional Colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to advance this vital legislation. If you need, I would be happy to forward the draft legislation, along with further background information, to your office.
Links for More Information
Home Care Face-to-Face Mandate: A Major Problem, a Simple Fix. Use this resource to show Congressional offices how the existing 485/plan-of-care already certifies the patient’s need for home care and could include a simple edit for meeting the face-to-face mandate.
The HCA-FSA-NAHC draft legislation to fix F2F. This draft legislation simply states: “Physician documentation of the face to face encounter shall consist solely of a simple and concise confirmation that such encounter occurred and that is provided by notation on the same plan of care document the physician signs to order the home health services required by the patient.”
Thank you for your help.
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