The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) issued quality improvement goals for skilled nursing providers in long term and post-acute care. The goals, aligned with the priorities of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and federal mandates, were identified to improve care delivery during the next three years. According to reports: The goals outlined by the AHCA and NCAL include: --Safely reduce long- and short-stay hospitalizations by … [Read more...] about American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Announce Quality Improvement Goals for Nursing Providers
MyHealthEData Initiative to give patients control and access to Healthcare data
In a press release by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MyHealthEData, a Trump initiative was announced as a way to empower healthcare patients by giving them control of their healthcare data, and allowing it to follow them through their healthcare journey. "CMS launched the “Blue Button 2.0” tool, calls on all health insurers to make data available to patients. According to the press release: The government-wide MyHealthEData initiative is led by the White House Office … [Read more...] about MyHealthEData Initiative to give patients control and access to Healthcare data
Government’s two-year spending plan includes $1.9 billion Nursing home cuts
According to reports, nursing home cuts will freeze skilled nursing facilities' share of the “market basket” at a 2.4% increase in October. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had previously projected a 2.7% hike, though the final rate won't be set until CMS announces its proposed rules for 2019. The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) President and CEO Mark Parkinson issued the following statement regarding the Senate budget proposal: “We are … [Read more...] about Government’s two-year spending plan includes $1.9 billion Nursing home cuts
CMS proposed adding non-skilled in-home care as a supplemental benefit to Medicare Advantage plans in 2019.
CMS is adding flexibility to their expansion of benefits by redefining health-related supplemental benefits to include services that increase health and improve quality of life, including coverage of non-skilled in-home supports and more. Hospice care and palliative care are considered as well as supplemental benefits down the road. Benefits will only be available to some of the participants of Medicare Advantage plans. These benefits will not be extended to original Medicare. Supplemental … [Read more...] about CMS proposed adding non-skilled in-home care as a supplemental benefit to Medicare Advantage plans in 2019.
Changes to HHSC-Approved Diagnostic Codes for Persons with Related Conditions List
Information Letter No. 18-04 This letter provides an annual update to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code set as of October 1, 2017, which includes new and revised ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has revised the HHSC-Approved Diagnostic Codes for Persons with Related Conditions. List of Invalid ICD-10 Related Conditions Codes: The following ICD-10 diagnoses codes are no longer valid and were deleted from the … [Read more...] about Changes to HHSC-Approved Diagnostic Codes for Persons with Related Conditions List
HHS OIG Releases Report Regarding Group Homes and Critical Incident Reporting
This January, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in conjunction with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS issued a report which detailed that "health and safety policies and procedures were not being followed. Failure to comply with these policies and procedures left group home beneficiaries at risk of serious harm. These are not isolated incidents but a systemic problem – 49 … [Read more...] about HHS OIG Releases Report Regarding Group Homes and Critical Incident Reporting
New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
According to reports, a newly created division of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office for Civil Rights will oversee and protect health care workers who decline to partake in certain medical procedures for patients due to moral or religious objections. HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule on "protecting life" and “conscience rights” that will further protect health-care providers who think they are being punished or discriminated … [Read more...] about New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
CMS Launches Data Submission System for Clinicians in the Quality Payment Program
In a press release, CMS announced that doctors and other eligible clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program can begin submitting their 2017 performance data using a new system on the Quality Payment Program website (qpp.cms.gov). The Quality Payment Program has two tracks you can choose:Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) orThe Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)The data submission system is an improvement from the former systems under the CMS legacy programs, which … [Read more...] about CMS Launches Data Submission System for Clinicians in the Quality Payment Program
Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
In 2016, the nursing home industry requested the change in the Medicare program's penalty protocols and now, according to reports, a new policy from the Trump administration will roll back fines against nursing homes cited for mistreatment or neglect. The New York Times research found that nearly 6,500 nursing homes in the U.S. have received at least one citation for a serious violation since 2013 and about two-thirds of those have been fined by Medicare.According to this New York Times excerpt … [Read more...] about Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
Texas to receive $25 Billion in Medicaid Funding after Approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver
According to The Office of Texas Government news release, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have reached an agreement to continue a critical part of the state’s Medicaid program over the next five years.The approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver will allow the state to continue expanding managed care to Medicaid clients while also preserving supplemental payments to hospitals and other critical Medicaid providers. According to … [Read more...] about Texas to receive $25 Billion in Medicaid Funding after Approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver
