If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view.
Post-Acute Advisor

CMS finalizes 1% increase for SNF’s FY 2018 payment rates and changes to quality programs

 

As expected, SNFs will receive a 1% increase in federal payments for FY 2018, roughly $370 million more than they received in FY 2017. Though the increase amount doesn’t come as a surprise with its original proposal being published back in April, it’s much lower than the $800 million that was proposed for SNFs last year. The final rule, confirming the payment increase, published in the Federal Register on August 4, also mirrors other changes to SNFs’ quality programs laid out in a proposed rule published by CMS in April.

 

 

2018 hospice final rule increases payments by $180 million

 

Medicare’s hospice payments, adjusted for inflation and other factors, will rise an estimated 1% in 2018, according to the final hospice payment rule posted Aug. 1.

 

 

Six ways to maximize your clinical and operational outcomes

 

Managed care organizations (MCO) are breaking new ground when it comes to controlling and reducing long-term healthcare costs, changing the way care is delivered in today’s skilled nursing facility (SNF). With the number of managed care beneficiaries increasing every year and continual changes in how care is administered and reimbursed, it’s essential that SNFs understand best practices for optimizing managed care partnerships to increase their revenue and avoid losing substantial sums of money.

 

 

Registration open for CDAL exam, SLCC announces 333 new certified directors of assisted living

 

Registration for the Certified Director of Assisted Living (CDAL) exam is now open for the September-December testing window. The testing period will run from September 15, 2017 to December 15, 2017. The application deadline is November 1, 2017, and the late application deadline is November 15, 2017 (and requires a $50 late fee).

 

 

CMS extends moratoria on new home health agencies in 6 metro areas

 

The moratoria — which covers the metropolitan areas of Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, Detroit, Dallas, Houston and Chicago — was extended because the risk of fraud and abuse persists in those areas, according to the Federal Register July 28.

 

 

Would you attend…

 

A three-day bootcamp for long-term care administrators? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below or take a minute to answer “yes” or “no” to our polling question in the right hand sidebar located on our homepage. We want to hear from you!

 

 

New OSHA website up and running for submitting electronic injury and illness reports

 

The long-anticipated website launched by OSHA for publication of electronic injury and illness reports is officially open for business. The website was promised as part of a final rule that took effect January 1 of this year, establishing new anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation laws to prevent employers from discouraging employees from reporting work-related injuries and illness.

 

 

After-hours activities: Getting everyone involved

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandates that the facility must provide for an ongoing program of activities designed to meet, in accordance with the comprehensive assessment, the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident. Therefore, it stands to reason that after-hours activities (meaning when activity staff are not on duty) should be offered.

 

 

Other Post-Acute News

 

 

How do I build a partnership with a managed care organization?

Managed care organizations (MCO) are breaking new ground when it comes to controlling and reducing long-term healthcare costs, changing the way care is delivered in today’s skilled nursing facility (SNF). With the number of managed care beneficiaries increasing every year and continual changes in how care is administered and reimbursed, it’s essential that SNFs understand best practices for optimizing managed care partnerships to increase their revenue and avoid losing substantial sums of money.

 

New in the July issue of PPS Alert for Long-Term Care: If the tooth fits -- New denture regulation requires added policies and better dental care

 

Rolling out with Phase 2 of the new survey process (effective November 28, 2017) is a regulation that will talk a big gameliterally. The new mandate intends to ensure that residents are receiving the care and services necessary for proper denture and dental health.

 

Critical thinking in home health: Skills to assess, analyze, and act

 

Many home health nurses come with a lack of critical thinking experience. Industry experts collaborate to provide strategies to teach these individuals critical thinking skills, how to lead training during orientation, and how to apply it to the home health setting.

 

Putting the pressure on pressure injury prevention

 

Pressure injuries and documentation are often among the most frequently cited survey deficiencies, and wound care is the subject of continuous research. Most recently, in April 2016, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) approved revisions to its Pressure Injury Staging System.

 
 

Product Spotlight

Skilled Nursing Facility Billing Boot Camp

 

Skilled Nursing Facility Billing Boot Camp provides hands-on, how-to education focusing on billing for Medicare Part A and B, the ins and outs of consolidated billing, accurately completing the UB-04. Plus, guidance on understanding the SNF coverage criteria and a breakdown of the different beneficiary notices.

 

Attendees will be able to return to their facility with the tools they need to understand the latest billing and reimbursement regulations, plus how to navigate the many billing processes to ensure their SNF is receiving appropriate reimbursement for services provided.

 

Billers Association Members (BAM) save 10% off the registration fee!

 
SIGN UP | FORWARD | ADVERTISE
Facebook    Twitter    LinkedIn

Upcoming CMS Events

 

 

 

Monday, August 7, 2:00pm - 3:00 pm, ET - Quality Reporting Program: Review and Correct Reports Refresher Training Webinar

 

Wednesday, August 16 from 1:30 pm to 3 pm, ET - Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Model Expansion Listening Session

 

Thursday, August 17, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, ET - IMPACT Act: Drug Regimen Review Measure Overview for the Home Health Quality Reporting Program Call

 

Wednesday, August 23, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, ET - Comparative Billing Report on Drugs of Abuse Testing Webinar

 

Thursday, September 7, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, ET - Nursing Home Facility Assessment Tool and State Operations Manual Revisions Call: Dementia Care in Nursing Homes

 

Thursday, September 21 - CMS SNF/Long-Term Care Open Door Forum

 

Tuesday, September 26, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, ET - PQRS: Feedback Reports and Informal Review Process for PY 2016 Results Call: Physician Quality Reporting System

 
HCPro
customerservice@hcpro.com | www.hcmarketplace.com
You are receiving this message at newsletter@newslettercollector.com as a benefit from HCPro. If you prefer not to receive messages like this in the future, click here to remove yourself from this list or change your email preferences. Your request will be processed within 10 days, as required by law. You may receive additional promotions within that time.
©2016 HCPro, a division of BLR® All rights reserved
75 Sylvan Street, Suite A-101, Danvers, MA 01923 | Phone: 800-650-6787 | Fax: 800-785-9212
MAGNET(TM), MAGNET RECOGNITION PROGRAM(R), and ANCC MAGNET RECOGNITION(R) are trademarks of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The products and services of HCPro are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the ANCC. The acronym "MRP" is not a trademark of HCPro or its parent company.
HCPro is not affiliated in any way with The Joint Commission, which owns the JCAHO and Joint Commission trademarks; the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, which owns the ACGME trademark; or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
HCPro is not affiliated in any way with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).