UPDATE: CMS Updates the Home Health Consolidated Billing Supply List

NAHC Report

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the annual update to the healthcare common procedure coding system (HCPCS) codes used for home health consolidated billing enforcement.

There are 71 new codes that will take effect January 1, 2025. Most of the new codes are for compression garments and wraps used for patients with a lymphedema diagnosis.

Congress passed the Lymphedema Treatment Act in December 2022, establishing Medicare coverage for lymphedema compression garments and wraps under the DMEPOS benefit, effective January 1, 2024. CMS implemented the new benefit through the calendar year (CY) 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System, Final Rule.  In the final rule CMS was silent regarding the intersection of the new lymphedema benefit and the home health consolidated billing requirements. Additionally, CMS did not include the compression garments and wraps in the home health consolidated billing for CY 2024. CMS, only now, seems to have determined that these items are to be classified as Medicare Part B non-routine supplies that are to be included in the home health consolidated  billing.

Many of the compression garments and wraps are expensive, costing hundreds of dollars apiece. The Alliance has contacted CMS to inquire why the decision was made to include the compression garments and wraps as part of the home health consolidated billing. Because these items are included with the new and distinct lymphedema benefit under the DMEPOS, we believe there is room to argue that the compression garments and wraps are to be classified as distinct from Medicare Part B non-routine supplies. The Alliance is also working with other stakeholders to encourage CMS to reconsider their decision to add lymphedema compression items as part of home health consolidated billing.

We will keep the Alliance membership updated as we learn more.

UPDATE HERE

The Alliance in coordination with other industry stakeholders contacted CMS to inquire why the decision was made to include the Lymphedema compression garments and wraps as part of the home health consolidated billing. CMS stated that the inclusion of these items into the home health consolidated billing list, as reported in Transmittal 12794, was done in error.

On September 26, 2024, CMS issued Transmittal 12851 that rescinds Transmittal 12794 issued August 15, 2024.  The revised Transmittal removes all of the Lymphedema items and includes five new Items that will be added to the home health consolidated billing list effective January 1, 2025. 

The Quiet, Transformative Power of Introverted Leaders

Forbes | Benjamin Laker, Contributor

When workplaces celebrate loud voices, charismatic personalities, and the “move fast, break things” attitude of leadership, introverts may seem out of place. Leadership, we’re told, belongs to the extroverts—the ones who command rooms, deliver inspiring speeches, and thrive in the spotlight. But what if we’ve been overlooking a quieter form of leadership all along?

Introverted leaders are often the unsung heroes of organizations, possessing a unique power that’s grounded in thoughtfulness, empathy, and a deep understanding of their team. The truth is, the quiet power of introverted leaders is not just an alternative leadership style—it’s a vital force for creating sustainable success.

The Misconception of Leadership

Leadership, for decades, has been conflated with extroversion. The loudest voices in the room are often assumed to be the most capable, and those who thrive in social situations are seen as natural leaders. This misconception has shaped our understanding of leadership as a public performance—a series of bold decisions, grand gestures, and public displays of confidence.

But this narrow view of leadership ignores the quiet strengths that introverts bring to the table. Introverted leaders may not be the ones dominating the conversation, but they are often the ones listening, analyzing, and thinking deeply before they act. Their approach is slower, more deliberate, and often more thoughtful, which can lead to better decision-making and a more cohesive team.

Introverts excel in environments where deep thinking and reflection are required. Their preference for listening rather than speaking allows them to take in more perspectives, fostering a culture of collaboration and respect. They don’t need to be the center of attention to be effective, and their quieter approach often leads to more thoughtful, strategic leadership…

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Music and Health: What You Need To Know

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Can music be good for you?

Yes, according to a growing body of research. Listening to or making music affects the brain in ways that may help promote health and manage disease symptoms.

Performing or listening to music activates a variety of structures in the brain that are involved in thinking, sensation, movement, and emotion. These brain effects may have physical and psychological benefits. For example, music causes the release of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters and hormones) that can evoke emotional reactions, memories, and feelings and promote social bonds. Music can even affect the structure of the brain. Certain structures in the brain have been found to be larger in musicians than nonmusicians, with particularly noticeable changes in people who started their musical training at an early age.

Increasing evidence suggests that music-based interventions may be helpful for health conditions that occur during childhood, adulthood, or aging. However, because much of the research on music-based interventions is preliminary, few definite conclusions about their effects have been reached. Many reports on the potential benefits of music-based interventions come from observations of individuals or small groups of people. Evidence of this type is valuable for suggesting new ideas, but carefully designed, scientifically rigorous studies of larger numbers of people are needed to provide stronger evidence on whether music-based interventions are effective for specific purposes.

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is a health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. The term “music therapy” is not a description of a specific type of intervention. Instead, it indicates the education, training, and credentials of the therapist who is delivering the intervention.

Music therapy may involve a variety of different activities, including music improvisation, music listening, song writing, music performance, and learning through music. Music therapists may work in many different settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, senior centers, rehabilitation facilities, or schools.

Some of the music-based interventions described in this fact sheet fit the definition of music therapy, but others do not. For example, music-based interventions that involve listening to recorded music are often delivered by health professionals other than music therapists (such as nurses), and therefore do not fit the definition of music therapy.

You can learn more about music therapy on the website of the American Music Therapy AssociationLink to External Link Policy.

Can music be harmful?

In general, research studies of music-based interventions do not show any negative effects. However, listening to music at too high a volume can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss. You can find out about this type of hearing loss on the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website.

In addition, because music can be associated with strong memories or emotional reactions, some people may be distressed by exposure to specific pieces or types of music. Extensive playing of musical instruments can lead to pain and injury. Music-based interventions that involve exercise or other types of movement could also lead to injury if appropriate safety precautions are not taken.

What does research show about music-based interventions for people with health conditions?

The preliminary research that has been done so far suggests that music-based interventions may be helpful for anxiety, depressive symptoms, and pain associated with a variety of health conditions, as well as for some other symptoms associated with dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions. 

Help the Care at Home Community Impacted by Hurricane Helene

NAHC Report

Hurricane Helene has severely impacted the southeastern United States, with many lives already lost in the Carolinas, and countless missing with no means of communication. Some of the most hard-hit communities are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Throughout western North Carolina and the Midlands and Upstate regions of South Carolina the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene is still being assessed. President Biden has now declared 25 Western Counties in NC, plus the Cherokee Nation, as Federal Disaster Areas. President Biden has declared 13 counties in SC Federal Disaster Areas, as well.

The Carolinas Foundation for Hospice & Home Care is accepting donations to distribute directly to hospice and home care employees devastated by this storm. Agencies are facing tremendous challenges, including displacement and/or evacuation of staff and patients, collapsed roads, failing infrastructure, lack of water, and the inability to communicate with downed lines. There is a major need for gas to continue to power generators for oxygen dependent patients both in home settings and hospice inpatient facilities.

The Association staff has been in contact with government agencies to us keep up-to-date on the situation as it unfolds.

The care at home community is comprised of caring, compassionate individuals who help those in need. Please consider donating to the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to help home care and hospice employees hit the hardest.100% of ALL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS are being borne by the Association and the Foundation. 100% of your donation (tax-deductible) comes in, and 100% of your donation goes out.

Donations may be individual or corporate, and as a 501(c)3 organization, they are often tax deductible based on an individual’s tax status. Please share this information with anyone you think would like to contribute.

Impacted members can also apply to receive funds through the National Hospice Foundation’s Workforce Emergency Support Fund to assist in needed repairs. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

The Alliance is prepared to help support our members in the path of Hurricane Helene. Members can access the Emergency Preparedness webpage in the Regulatory & Compliance Center for helpful tools and guidance.

All of us at the National Alliance for Care at Home are thinking of all our colleagues, agencies, patients, families, and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

GO HERE to donate to a Hurricane Helene Relief Fund for the Carolinas