Payers adopt codes for home infusion services

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - HME providers are hoping standardized HCPCS codes for home infusion services now used by private payers will boil over to Medicare. Private payers began adopting the new codes, which include reimbursement for products and services, Jan. 1, according to Lorrie Kline Kaplan, executive director of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA). "This recognition that home infusion is more than just products in an important first step," she said. "Hopefully, this will provide a precedent for other homecare services." Traditionally, Medicare pays for home infusion products but not services. Kaplan said before standardized coding, commercial payers had their own codes for home infusion. With HIPAA around the corner, though, payers needed standardized coding to be compliant, she said. American Healthways partners with Md. hospital NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Disease state management provider American Healthways signed a new, five-year agreement with Montgomery General Hospital in Olney, Md., in June to help the facility manage its diabetes patients. The program's outpatient component is designed to help individuals with diabetes develop and practice the self-management skills that will improve their health status and quality of life and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Med Diversified names president ANDOVER, Mass. - Med Diversified, the once high-flying Internet company that's trying to remake itself as a one-shop shop homecare provider, named John J Collura as president and COO. Previously he was chief financial officer, executive vice president and treasurer for home-health giant Gentiva Health Services.