Newsletter Vol. 9, No. 21

REQUIREMENTS: - Immediately (effective April 1, 1999): Home health agencies must transition to HCFA 485 form ONLY for all New Jersey Medicaid/NJ KidCare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Discontinue use of any alternative or supplementary forms. - Within 45 days of newsletter receipt: For all current beneficiaries, submit initial HCFA 485 to appropriate Medicaid District Office (MDO) to establish the 62-day reassessment cycle. - For all new beneficiaries: Perform and submit reassessment HCFA 485 forms every 62 days after initial assessment. - All form submissions: Must be postmarked within 5 business days of initial assessment, reassessment, or termination. DO NOT fax forms—mail only. Include beneficiary's eligibility number in block 6 of HCFA 485, 486, and 487. - Billing/Finance team: Update accounts payable procedures to flag any claims lacking proper HCFA 485 documentation. Prepare for potential payment recovery if forms are submitted late (agencies will lose reimbursement from day 6 onward until compliant documentation is received). - Update agency protocols: Document the 62-day reassessment schedule in care management systems. Train clinical staff to initiate reassessment submissions at appropriate intervals. - Consequences: Failure to submit HCFA 485 within required timeframe will result in automatic payment recovery by the Division for all services rendered from the 6th business day until compliant documentation is received.