Hospice - Continuous Care Billing


Hospice - Continuous Care Billing

Continuous home care is to be provided only during periods of crisis to maintain the beneficiary at home. See more tips below.

💡 Tips on Billing for Continuous Home Care

  • Hospice continuous home care (CHC) is billed when a patient experiences a crisis requiring more intensive nursing care, typically at least 8 hours in a 24-hour period, to manage symptoms.
  • A minimum of 8 hours of nursing care must be provided within a 24-hour period (midnight to midnight).
  • The majority of the care hours (over 50%) must be provided by a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
  • The need for CHC and the specific care provided must be documented in the patient's medical record.
  • Revenue code 0652 is used when billing for continuous home care.
  • Hours are billed in 15-minute increments, and a minimum of 32 units (8 hours) must be billed to receive the CHC rate.
  • If the minimum 8 hours of CHC are not met, the day is billed as routine home care.

Medicare and Medicaid

  • Medicare and Medicaid may have specific guidelines and coverage for CHC. Contact payer for guidance.
  • Medicaid coverage for CHC can vary by state. Contact Medicaid for guidance.

Posted Wednesday, November 10, 2010 by christine@barnestorm.com
http://kb.barnestorm.biz/KnowledgebaseArticle50603.aspx