Home Health Agency Retention Bonuses for Nurses Providing Continuous Skilled Nursing Services
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Defines retention bonus amounts, service commitment requirements, billing procedure, codes, payment schedule, and documentation requirements for licensed nurses providing continuous skilled nursing (CSN) services through MassHealth-enrolled home health agencies for specified service dates.
This bulletin supersedes and replaces Home Health Agency Bulletin 82 and extends the dates of service for which the Retention Bonus Program will be accessible through June 2024.
CSN Retention Bonus Coverage Criteria
CSN Retention Bonus Coverage Criteria
Eligibility and payment criteria for CSN retention bonuses each service quarter:
ALL of the following
- Eligible provider: Licensed nurse employed by a MassHealth-enrolled HHA who provides Continuous Skilled Nursing (CSN) services
- Eligible service dates: Services rendered between April 2023 and June 2024 as specified in the bulletin
ALL of the following
ONE of
- 480 hours of CSN services in the 3-month service quarter — retention bonus amount: $3,250
- 360 hours of CSN services in the 3-month service quarter — retention bonus amount: $2,000
- 260 hours of CSN services in the 3-month service quarter — retention bonus amount: $1,200
- Member linkage: Each claim submission must be attached to a CCM member whom the qualifying CSN nurse has served; CSN services provided to OneCare, Senior Care Options, Special Kids Special Care Program, CCM members included in individualized education programs, and CSN hours reimbursed by commercial insurance may count toward the service commitment
- Claim attachment and documentation: The claim must include a completed Retention Bonus Claim Attachment Form specific to the qualifying nurse and dates of service; claims submitted without the attachment will be automatically denied
- Payment pass-through and non-reimbursable forms: HHAs receive the bonus payment and must pay the full retention bonus amount directly to the qualifying CSN nurse; credits, gift certificates, or similar non-cash payments are not reimbursable
- Recordkeeping and program integrity: HHAs must maintain records demonstrating nurses met service commitments and that full bonus payments were made; HHAs must participate in quality management and program integrity processes as requested by MassHealth
- Noncompliance consequences: Agencies that do not adhere to bulletin requirements may be subject to sanction or overpayment recovery per 130 CMR 450.238 and 130 CMR 450.235
Procedure Codes and Thresholds
| T1030 U1 | Nursing care, in the home, by registered nurse, per diem (CSN nurse retention bonus for 480 hours) (use for RN and LPN) (per nurse) |
| T1030 U2 | Nursing care, in the home, by registered nurse, per diem (CSN nurse retention bonus for 360 hours) (use for RN and LPN) (per nurse) |
| T1030 U3 | Nursing care, in the home, by registered nurse, per diem (CSN nurse retention bonus for 260 hours) (use for RN and LPN) (per nurse) |
Claims Submission and Documentation Requirements
Claims submission and documentation: attach completed Retention Bonus Claim Attachment Form and retain payment proof
Submit retention bonus claims each service quarter with a completed Retention Bonus Claim Attachment Form tied to a CCM member whom the qualifying CSN nurse has served; the attachment must be specific to the qualifying nurse and dates of service and completed in its entirety. Claims submitted without the attachment will be automatically denied. Maintain records demonstrating the nurse met the service commitment and that the full retention bonus amount was paid directly to the qualifying nurse; non-cash payments (credits, gift certificates, etc.) are not reimbursable. Agencies that fail to meet these requirements may be subject to sanction or overpayment recovery.
- Attach the completed Retention Bonus Claim Attachment Form specific to the qualifying CSN nurse and service dates to each claim.
- Claims without the required attachment will be automatically denied.
- Keep records proving the nurse met service-commitment hours and that the full bonus was paid to the nurse; non-cash payments are not reimbursable.
- Noncompliance may lead to sanctions (130 CMR 450.238) or overpayment recoupment (130 CMR 450.235).
Key Definitions
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