As expected, the final rule setting the Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2006 was announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The new hospice wage index will be used to reflect local differences in area wage level by adjusting payment rates for hospices under the Medicare programs. The CMS identifies the revised labor market and metropolitan core based statistical areas.

Join Tom Boyd from Boyd and Nicholas to get a better understanding of the new Medicare reimbursement methodology and how it will affect your agency in this special 60-minute teleconference "Hospice Medicare Reimbursement Rates and the New 2006 Wage Index."

The hospice wage index is used to adjust payment rates for hospice agencies under the Medicare program to reflect local differences in area wage levels. The new rule includes changes to the Medicare hospice wage index that were proposed as a result of revised definitions of geographical statistical areas, and proposed implementation of several provisions of the Medicare Modernization Act by the Office of Management and Budget.

The FY 2006 hospice wage index values have been computed utilizing the revised OMB geographic location definitions (CBSAs).

There are the major issues with respect to the new definitions and hospice executives need to become familiar with the how labor market areas are defined under the new rules that complicate certain terminology. There are areas which will experience a decrease in their wage index, but there are also areas which will experience an increase.

Presenter:

Thomas E. Boyd, Principal
Boyd & Nicholas, Inc.

A highly respected member of the home health community, Tom has developed a national reputation as an expert in the field of home health and Medicare reimbursement, largely due to twelve years as an intermediary auditor. He has spoken at many state and national association conferences on topics such as Ethics for the Home Care Manager, Saving Money and Cutting Costs, and the Appeals/Mediation process. Tom Boyd is often quoted in homehealthline, Eli’s Home Care Week, Success in Home Care magazine, The Remington Report, and other industry publications.

Who Will Benefit From This Teleconference?

Hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and palliative care providers, health systems, healthcare providers, hospice administrators, president/CEO, reimbursement manager, chief financial officer, executive director, home care director, director of development, nursing administrator, executive vice president, clinical services director, program director, hospice director, VP business development, director of patient care, director of social services, assistant administrator and coordinator.

How The Teleconference Works

"Attend" this program right in your office and enjoy significant savings; no travel time or hassle; no hotel expenses. It's so convenient! Invite your staff members to participate. Your registration fee covers ONE telephone hookup from your site. Include as many individuals from your organization as you wish there is no additional charge. You might even want to invite some colleagues from your local area to join you and share the cost. Gather in a conference room and use a speakerphone.