Exception to Protocol about Calculating the Number of Visits in the Lookback Period
folder_openChanges to Protocols and Guidelinescalendar_todayPosted February 22, 2012

During the HHCAHPS Survey Vendor Update Training Session held on February 1, 2012, it was reported that some home health agencies or their IT vendors are unable or refuse to provide the total number of visits in the lookback period on the monthly patient information files that they submit to the vendor.

As indicated in the Home Health Care CAHPS Survey Protocols and Guidelines Manual, Version 4.0, HHCAHPS Survey vendors must include on the XML files the number of lookback visits provided by the HHA. However, if an HHA or its IT vendor provides the dates of all visits in the lookback period instead of the total number of visits, it is acceptable for the vendor to calculate the total number of visits in the lookback period. Note, however, that this is the only reason that a vendor should calculate the number of lookback visits.

Please contact the HHCAHPS Coordination Team at hhcahps@rti.org if you have any questions about this announcement.