November 2019 was supposed to see the implementation of Phase 3 of the changes to Nursing Home Rules of Participation. That has been rolled back to 2019. Moreover, CMS has proposed a new rule that will cause significant changes in some areas. In the proposed rule, posted to the Federal Register Tuesday evening, CMS recommends having surveyors look at QAPI plans at the end of an inspection. That could limit the possibility that areas identified for improvement would be used as … [Read more...] about Changes in RoP for Nursing Homes
CMS Allows Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Homes, Delays Phase 3 ROP’s
The CMS has issued a final rule to allow pre-dispute arbitration agreements under the condition that the residents' receipt of care is not conditioned on signing them. Providers must inform residents or their representatives that they do not have to sign the agreement. The purpose of the rule is to: The CMS proposal supports patients and their caregivers by removing the ban on binding arbitration agreements while requiring nursing homes to ensure residents have the ability to choose … [Read more...] about CMS Allows Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Homes, Delays Phase 3 ROP’s
Comprehensive Review of Nursing Home Regulations Planned?
Administrator Seema Verma has directed CMS to undergo a comprehensive reive of nursing home regulations, guidance and processes: Administrator Seema Verma said that the goal is to bolster safety and quality in SNFs across the country. “This is not business as usual — we are pushing beyond the status quo,” she wrote in a blog post Monday. “CMS’ approach to oversight of nursing homes is constantly evolving,” she added. “Just as we’re unleashing innovative strategies and technologies in other … [Read more...] about Comprehensive Review of Nursing Home Regulations Planned?
Hospital Re-Admissions and the Elderly
The New York Times is writing about the ACA's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program and the question of whether or not this is causing increased mortality among older patients. This should be of increased interest to nursing facilities since the refusal of readmission after a nursing home sends a resident to the hospital and subsequent death of the resident when returned to the facility may increase scrutiny of the nursing home rather than the correctness of a hospital refusing … [Read more...] about Hospital Re-Admissions and the Elderly
CMS 2019 Physician Fee Schedule–Small Practice Impact
The Final Rule was released in November, 2019. Here is a good analysis of the rule as it will impact small practices. … [Read more...] about CMS 2019 Physician Fee Schedule–Small Practice Impact
New Civil Money Penalties are the Subject of Proposed New CMS Rules
Last Friday, CMS, issued a notice regarding proposed new rules. Anticipated 1150B Delegation of Authority: We are looking to publish a proposed rule to fully enforce Section 1150B requirements for reporting crimes to nursing home residents, we are proposing a regulation that will allow Civil Money Penalties (CMPs) to be imposed of up to $200,000 against covered individuals (staff, volunteers, etc.) who fail to report reasonable suspicion of crimes. This proposed regulation would also … [Read more...] about New Civil Money Penalties are the Subject of Proposed New CMS Rules
Medicare and Medicaid Programs – CMS, HSS Proposed Regulatory Provisions Fact Sheet
Today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in order to promote Medicaid and Medicare program efficiency, transparency, and burden reduction, proposed new rules that revise the applicable conditions of participation (CoPs) for providers and conditions for coverage (CfCs). The link of this rule will be republished in the Federal Register on Sept. 20. According to the fact sheet summary excerpt: This proposed rule would reform Medicare regulations that are identified as … [Read more...] about Medicare and Medicaid Programs – CMS, HSS Proposed Regulatory Provisions Fact Sheet
CMS Announces Option to Claim Hardship Exemption from the Individual Healthcare Mandate
In a press release revealed today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its efforts to provides American consumers with the ability to claim a hardship exemption from the tax penalty imposed by the ACA (Obamacare) for not maintaining health coverage for 2018 on their federal income tax returns, making it easier for taxpayers across the nation to claim their exemption. According to this excerpt from the press release: This new option to claim a hardship exemption … [Read more...] about CMS Announces Option to Claim Hardship Exemption from the Individual Healthcare Mandate
Multiple Bipartisan Healthcare Bills Head to Congress
The series of bipartisan healthcare bills are being considered expedited rules that require two-third votes for approval. One bill H.R. 3635, amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the process by which Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) issue and reconsider local coverage determinations (LCDs) that: (1) are new, (2) restrict or substantively revise existing LCDs, or (3) are otherwise specified in regulation. According to reports, it would provide … [Read more...] about Multiple Bipartisan Healthcare Bills Head to Congress
CMS Introduction to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)
The Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP), mandated by the Affordable Care Act of 2010 directs the Secretary to establish quality reporting requirements for hospice programs. A new CMS webinar was scheduled to explain the basics of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) reported that the HQRP Requirements are as follows: Hospices are required to comply with requirements for two HQRP program components that … [Read more...] about CMS Introduction to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)
