Deny, Deny, Deny

This horse will likely die of humiliation soon but please don't beat her. Her owners have put her through enough already.

It’s Mandy here.  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

So, we all know the old saying – Deny, Deny, Deny.  Well, apparently that’s what our zone contractors are so anxious to do.  They deny claims for the smallest little things like medical necessity. Whoever heard? Wink, Wink.

The truth is, these zone contractors get paid literally millions of dollars for ensuring that claims are paid appropriately. In order to make CMS feel good about al those millions of dollars, they have to offset the payment with a whole lot of denials. I wonder how they sleep at night?  Probably, pretty good laying on their big fat wallets.

But it doesn’t stop with the Zone.  Apparently, Palmetto and other MACs got jealous at all the attention the Zone contractors were getting and now they are flooding the market with ADR’s.  In some cases, the same agencies under a ZPIC audit are also getting ADR’s.  How can that be fair?  It probably isn’t, but we ain’t changing it so we have to live with it.

Palmetto GBA is so warm and fuzzy; they give us a list of the worst offenses.  Here are the most recently listed Top 10 reasons for denial:

1. Documentation does not support homebound status.
2. Lack of response to ADR.
3. Information does not support medical necessity.
4. Orders do not cover all visits billed.
5. Unable to determine medical necessity b/c appropriate Oasis not submitted.
6. Medical review HIPPS code change/Documentation contradict M item/s
7. POC/Cert present and signed but not dated
8. Dependent services denied because qualifying service was denied.
9. Partial denial for therapy resulting in medical review HIPPS code change.
10. Order not signed and/or dated timely.

What are we dealing with here?  Homebound, medical necessity, we know, we know.  Apparently, we don’t.  50% of this list is directly related to documentation.  Whether it be our Oasis, our skill, or our therapy notes, can we beat this dead horse anymore?

Attention DON’s and case managers! Calling all nurses and therapists! 

Big brother is watching.  We can no longer skate by with the minimum.  We must provide top notch care with top notch documentation EVERY, SINGLE visit for dwindling reimbursement.  What does that mean?  Only the best will survive, but we can do it.

Steps to take to alleviate denials:

• Train staff based upon the most current guidelines not outdated belief systems
• Make sure employees understand the definition of homebound status and how to document  it on every clinical note, including therapists
• Don’t provide an opportunity for a medical necessity denial
  • Actually look at medicines every visit – truly groundbreaking idea
  • Develop working relationships with physician offices to open communication
  • document all changes to the plan of care
  • document all changes in condition
  • Ask for changes to the plan of care when necessary.
  • Always address caregivers in documentation – preferably by name.  Changes in caregiver status affect our patients.
  • educate all clinical staff to sign and date notes with a legible signature if you are not using electronic documentation
• Train clerical staff to look for signatures and dates when filing as a double check system
• Establish a follow-up policy for outstanding orders and stick to it.  Orders not signed within 30 days are not acceptable.  Hand deliver to the physician office if necessary.
• Get a custom stamp that reads:  DATE YOUR SIGNATURE or something a little less subtle to put on MD orders and care plans

Everyone makes a few honest mistakes, but more than a few could land you in the slammer.    Be careful out there my fellow warriors.  Document, document, document!  Our nursing instructors were right!!

*Please note: No horses were actually hurt in the writing of this blog and I have never actually spoken to or met a zone contractor employee so I actually cannot vouch for their sleeping arrangements, personal appearances or opinions regarding home health zpic audits.  This is only a commentary and represents no actual employees of Zone Contractors.