NewsLine - March 2012 - (Page 44)

Tip of the Month The Regulatory Hat that Every Hospice Physician Must Wear “It’s rare now to have a day go by without getting a question from a physician, nurse or administrator about an issue that involves the COPs, Face to Face, or some other regulatory topic,” says Ed Martin, MD, MPH, the medical director of Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island. Dr. Martin’s experience is not unique. Today, hospice physicians must be knowledgeable about both the medical care of their patients as well as the federal/ state regulations and accreditation standards (as applicable) that guide how hospice care is delivered. While the hospice medical director is responsible for the medical component of the hospice patient’s plan of care (that must be guided by the Medicare Hospice CoPs), all hospice physicians serve as key decision makers in the plans of care and lead the interdisciplinary documentation. Given their expanding role, it is more important than ever for hospice physicians to stay up to date about the latest regulations, billing, audits, and myriad other issues. A knowledgeable hospice physician and his or her documentation of the patient’s condition can make the difference in the outcome of a claims appeal, compliance audit, or state/federal survey. NHPCO offers a variety of resources for hospice physicians. Here are just two to share with the physicians in your program: Physician Guide to Hospice Care (Item 714384) This guide explores the current regulatory landscape and provides hospice physicians with practical advice and resources. It includes appendices on the Hospice CoPs; Criteria and Lab Values for Non-cancer Diagnoses; Evaluative Scales for Determining Functional Limitations; Patient and Family Resources; and a complete copy of the “Medical Guidelines for Determining Prognosis in Selected Non-Cancer Diseases.” Just Updated: Certification & Recertification of Hospice Terminal Illness (Item 821733) This popular laminated pocket guide, with maps to guide hospice admissions, has just been updated to reflect the most recent regulatory changes. Version 2.1, Febru Maps to Guide Hospice Admis sions ary 1, 2012 Certification an of Hospice Te d Recertification rminal Illness MLC—Stay Up to Speed and Earn CME Management and Leadership Conference March 29-31, 2012 Preconference Seminars: March 27-28 • NHPCO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. • More than 100 sessions qualify for CME—an excellent way to earn up to 26 CME credits. “I have been working in hospice for 25 years and the regulatory environment has never been more challenging. The MLC helps me to keep up with this everchanging area.” Ed Martin, MD, MPH Medical Director, Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island 44 NewsLine http://iweb.nhpco.org/iweb/Purchase/CatalogSearchResults.aspx?Option=1&ProductTypeText=All&ProductTypeValue=All&Title=&Author=821733&ProductDesc=&TitleText=Title+contains&AuthorText=Item+Number&ProductDescText=Product+description+contains&ReturnPage http://iweb.nhpco.org/iweb/Purchase/CatalogSearchResults.aspx?Option=1&ProductTypeText=All&ProductTypeValue=All&Title=&Author=821733&ProductDesc=&TitleText=Title+contains&AuthorText=Item+Number&ProductDescText=Product+description+contains&ReturnPage http://iweb.nhpco.org/iweb/Purchase/CatalogSearchResults.aspx?Option=1&ProductTypeText=All&ProductTypeValue=All&Title=&Author=821733&ProductDesc=&TitleText=Title+contains&AuthorText=Item+Number&ProductDescText=Product+description+contains&ReturnPage http://iweb.nhpco.org/iweb/Purchase/ProductDetail.aspx?Product_code=714384 http://iweb.nhpco.org/iweb/Purchase/ProductDetail.aspx?Product_code=714384 http://www.nhpco.org/mlc2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - March 2012

NHPCO Facts and Figures
In Tribute to Mary Labyak
Fall Prevention and Assessment
The Voice of NCHPP
The Experience Model
Get Involved in My.NHPCO
NHF 2012 Gala (display ad)
Hope PACE
Free Community Assessment Tool
Watch the New FHSSA Video on Partnering
NHDD is April 16: Let’s Keep Up the Pace
MSN Change: Over a Year of Advocacy Pays Off
New Volunteer Outreach Materials Online
Our New Hospice T-Shirts are Here
Volunteer Gift Items from Marketplace (display ad)
Member News and Notes
Regulatory Tip of the Month
Educational Offerings
Resource Links to Bookmark
Videos Worth Watching

NewsLine - March 2012