We have a question that we are hoping you can help with.  We have a client that we have been providing skilled home care services to.  We had been billing her services under traditional Medicare.  We recently were informed that this client applied for medical assistance and has been approved for the EW program through BluePlus which started 3/01.  We reached out to CMS Home Health Quality Help Desk to ask for assistance in determining how we should handle our OASIS and orders since we are 3 months out.  It was suggested that we reach out to the payer to find out if the new payer, requires a new start of care with new orders and a new OASIS, back dated to 3/01. We have current orders, however on our OASIS it lists the pay source as Medicare. (see response below) 

Thank you for your inquiry.

Different States, different payers, and different agencies have varying responses to payer change situations, so we usually find it most effective to ask, “Does the new payer require a new

SOC?" HHAs usually can work their way through what they need to do if they answer this question.

We would be billing BluePlus Medicare because the client is receiving skilled nurse visits for wound care and is homebound.

We have tried reaching out to BluePlus but have yet to receive an answer.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Amber Aaseth RN, BSN, PHN

Director

Steele County Public Health

635 Florence Ave

Owatonna, MN 55060

507-444-7650

Amber.aaseth@steelecountymn.gov