The HIPAA unit and code changes have been in place for three months and we are still re-ceiving Plans of Care and amendments with the old codes as well as the old unit size and prices.

Starting January 1, 2004 we will no longer be able to change the Plans of Care and amend-ments going back beyond the current month. It is crucial that you review the Plans of Care and amendments for accuracy before submitting them.

Some of you were issued new provider numbers last May and are still using the old numbers. Some Case Managers are still us-ing the old number of the other providers that were changed.

Those old numbers are no longer valid and results in de-nied claims.

Please make it your New Year’s resolution to submit correct in-formation.

COMPLIANCE DEADLINE

All of us at the Aging Division wish all of you and your families a happy holiday season! It has been a pleasure working with all of you throughout the past year. You continue to make a difference in your cli-ent’s lives.

I have reprinted a poem sent to us in 1998 by a wonderful lady who was a waiver cli-ent. She was in her late nineties when she

submitted this poem and I thought it was worth reprinting. Those of you that have been with us for a number of years may re-member some of her other poems that ap-peared in the HCBS NEWS.

Please take time to enjoy the beauty and the fellowship of this holiday season.

See you next year!

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New Internet Tool Tracks Care Given by Home Health Agencies Page 2

Reprieve! Page 2

Santa’s Dilemma Page 3

Christmas Page 4

Inside this issue:

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Volume 10, Issue 12

December, 2003

Remember that having fun is just as important an aspect

of the holidays as getting the presents wrapped.

—Sonya Friedman

On November 3, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an-nounced a powerful new Internet tool. Home Health Compare is now providing quality of care information for every Medicare-certified home health agency in the nation. Located at www.medicare.gov, Home Health Com-pare allows visitors to search for agencies by state, county, or zip code, or to find an agency by enter-ing its name. Results can be narrowed by one or any combination of skilled services offered. Additionally, the site provides quality of care infor-mation, as measured by eleven indicators, or qual-ity measures. Examples are the percentage of pa-tients who get better at dressing themselves, at moving around without pain, or at taking their oral medicines. The information is available in graph form to allow for easy comparisons. Because state and national averages are given as well, visitors receive a quick picture of how well agencies perform within a lar-ger perspective. Home Health Compare joins Nursing Home Com-pare on Medicare’s web site. The Nursing Home Compare tool, which has been available since November 2002, is frequently used by professionals who work with patients and fami-

Page 2

New Internet Tool Tracks Care Given by Home Health Agencies

explain why the extra amounts are needed and if it is expected to be short term or is to help a client through a period of in-creased need.

Thanks to all of you for your cooperation in this undertaking. You all give a new meaning to team-work.

Many months ago, I re-quested that you call me with all Plans of Care over $700/month. I needed to be aware of the utilization for budgeting reasons.

Once again, you all rose to the occasion and duti-fully called me every month. Because I received such good response, which helped me fulfill my obli-gations, I can now grant you all a reprieve.

I will still need to give you verbal permission to exceed $900/month on the Plans of Care, so please continue to call me on those and be prepared to

REPRIEVE!

VHCBS NE WSV

lies that need to make decisions about long-term care. It is expected that Home Health Compare will also be used extensively by professionals who ad-vise and support patients whose physicians pre-scribe care at home. Those without access to the Internet can use the 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) service to ob-tain home health care information. The Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation brings you this mes-sage under a contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Ser-vices (CMS), a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. #7SOW-MPQHF-HH-03-04

Good things come in small packages, big packages,

or whatever shape a friend is in.

—Sally Huss

Bells are Music’s laughter. -Thomas Hood

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 12 Page 3

Santa’s Dilemma

Poor Santa’s got the Christmas shivers; Now, listen and I’ll tell you why,

Sh-h-h! Say it in whispers, say it and sigh; MRS. CLAUS HAS JOINED WOMEN LIBBERS!

YES Sir! Got to be fulfilled, she heard,

No knitting at home by the fire; This dressing of dolls is for the birds!

MODERN woman must vent her ire!

Poor Santa! Toys piled here toys piles there, It’s enough to curl one’s whiskers;

Dolls without clothes, dolls without hair; “O, woe is me!” in his beard he whispers.

Well, there goes another tradition. Twas bound to happen, I perceive.

Just so she doesn’t get hip on nutrition And serve reindeer burgers on Christmas Eve!

—Alda J. Wild

A PU BL ICAT IO N O F TH E WY OMING DEPARTM ENT O F H EA LT H, A GING DI V ISION

We’re on the Web!

http://wdhfs.state.wy.us/

Every time a hand reaches out To help another...that is Christmas.

Every time someone puts anger aside And strives for understanding

That is Christmas.

Every time people forget their differences And realize their love for each other

That is Christmas.

May this Christmas bring us Closer to the spirit of human

understanding, Closer to the blessing of peace!

6101 Yellowstone Road, Suite 259B

Cheyenne, WY 82002

Editorial Staff:

Editor and Publisher: Vereen Bebo Editorial Assistant: Colleen Noon