decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2011 Issue 2 (February)
Face-to-face encounter now required for home health certification
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Article Overview
This article summarizes a Medicare home health policy update driven by the Affordable Care Act and CMS guidance. It is aimed at physicians, non-physician practitioners, and home health billing/coding staff who need to understand the certification process, documentation expectations, timing requirements, and the practical impact on home health services that begin after the effective date.
Why This Topic Matters
Home health certification requirements affect whether Medicare home health services can be properly documented and supported. Understanding the policy change helps organizations align provider workflow, patient encounter timing, and certification documentation with CMS expectations.
What You Will Learn
- The policy reason behind the home health face-to-face encounter requirement
- Who may perform the encounter and certify home health need
- What type of documentation is expected for certification support
- When the encounter must occur relative to the start of home health care
- How CMS described implementation timing and enforcement
- Where to find official CMS resources on the change
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Non-physician practitioners
- Home health agencies
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance staff
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