Two important updates from the end of 2024 need to be communicated to both home health and hospice teams regarding Credit Balance Reports and Telehealth Face-to-Face Encounters.
As of December 1, 2024, CMS has announced the elimination of the quarterly requirement to submit credit balance reports. Previously, these reports were due by the 30th day after the end of each calendar quarter, even if the balance was zero. This change means the credit balance report typically due in January for the fourth quarter will no longer be required. This update has been confirmed, and additional notices are available on your Medicare MAC websites.
CMS has clarified that if credit balances arise, they should be reported on a credit balance report as they are identified. However, credit balances are now rare for most organizations. This is because most instances that would qualify as a credit balance—amounts owed back to the Medicare system—can typically be resolved through the claims processing system by canceling or editing claims. In the uncommon event that this is not possible, you would still need to file a credit balance report and return the funds owed.
Additionally, we need to clarify telehealth face-to-face encounters. Initially set to end on December 31, 2024, the use of telehealth for these encounters in both home health and hospice has been extended through March 31, 2025, following the signing of the America Relief Act of 2025. Efforts are ongoing to advocate for further extensions of telehealth for face-to-face encounters, but for now, the extension is in place through the end of March 2025.
Please ensure that you, your physicians, and practitioners are using a HIPAA-compliant platform to conduct face-to-face encounters. Additionally, the practitioner must document that the encounter included both audio and video; audio-only encounters are not permitted.
HPS is here to support you with any home health or hospice reimbursement or regulatory guidance. If you require assistance, please feel free to reach out to us.
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