Staying Ahead of Hospice Transfer Challenges

Turning Hospice Transfer Challenges Into Payment Opportunities

When it comes to patient transfers in hospice care, significant billing challenges can arise if not properly managed. These transitions – when a patient elects to move from one hospice agency to another – often occur due to changes in geography or caregiver arrangements. While the clinical side of the transfer may be smooth, the billing process can easily stall.

The Challenge

A key complication arises when the originating hospice has not completed billing with Medicare. Until that step is taken, the new agency can’t submit its own claims, causing delayed or lost revenue. Without consistent monitoring, these unresolved transfers can remain undetected for months.

Our Solution 

We use a proactive and structured approach to address this issue. Our team regularly monitors the Medicare system to identify transfer cases, confirm that all necessary documentation has been received and stay in contact with the previous agency to encourage timely billing. Weekly reviews ensure that accounts receivable reports are closely tracked and any unpaid claims related to transfers are addressed quickly.

By focusing on transfer compliance and billing follow-through, ARCM helps hospice agencies avoid missed payments and maintain steady cash flow. Efficient management of these transitions is not just a best practice – it’s essential for protecting revenue.