Post-Acute Advisor

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Emergency preparedness training and testing must be met, say CMS

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a memorandum to the state survey agency directors that says home health providers are expected to meet the requirements of training and testing of the new emergency preparedness regulations (required by part “d” of 81 FR 63860) by the implementation date (November 15, 2017).

ACA repeal and replace bill pulled with not enough votes to pass

The American Health Care Act long debated by opposing parties, healthcare providers and government entities otherwise known as “repeal and replace of Obamacare” was pulled Friday as a result of the bill’s failure to gain enough votes to pass.

CMS encourages providers to submit PBJ data before May 15 deadline to get green light on Nursing Home Compare

During the Skilled Nursing Facility Open Door Forum on March 23, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) emphasized that providers should submit their first-quarter payroll based journal (PBJ) data far in advance of the May 15 deadline to leave time to address any potential errors. CMS also warned that the submission of validation reports could take up to 24 hours, a responsibility that falls on facilities.

Evidence-based criteria for determining whether services are skilled

Chapter 8 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Section 30.2.2 (“Principles for Determining Whether a Service is Skilled”) starts to look more closely at the criteria for assessing a skilled need. The regulation states, “If the inherent complexity of a service prescribed for a patient is such that it can be performed safely and/or effectively only by or under the general supervision of skilled nursing or skilled rehabilitation personnel, the service is a skilled service; e.g., the administration of intravenous feedings and intramuscular injections; the insertion of suprapubic catheters; and ultrasound, shortwave, and microwave therapy treatments.” It goes on to state that a condition that would not ordinarily require skilled services may still qualify for skilled care if there are “special medical complications.”

Trump will sign resolution to reverse OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements for recordable injury and illness

In December, 2016, OSHA issued a final rule intended to “clarify[y] an employer's continuing obligation to make and maintain an accurate record of each recordable injury and illness.” The final rule, titled “Clarification of Employer’s Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain Accurate Records of Each Recordable Injury and Illness” and informally referred to as the “Volks” rule, took effect in January of this year. The final rule also increases the statute of limitations from six months to five years after a work-related injury or illness occurred, and requires employers to record an injury or illness for as long as the employer is required to keep records of the recordable injury or illness. The rule emphasizes that this duty does not expire just because the employer fails to create the necessary records when first required to do so.

Emergency preparedness: Planning for an evacuation

Surveys begin November 15, 2017 for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recent updates to emergency preparedness (EP) requirements for long-term care.

Industry expert and long-term care consultant Bonnie Foster, RN, BSN, Med says her biggest concern is always planning for a potential resident evacuation. She offers several strategies for planning a potential evacuation that providers can use when creating their EP plans:

Hospice Report shows overall usage declines

According to a study by Healthcare Market Resources, hospice utilization is on the decline for another year. According to the report, 2015 saw a continued “leveling off of hospice utilization nationwide.”

Product Spotlight

Medicare Boot Camp®—Long-Term Care Version

HCPro's Medicare Boot Camp®—Long-Term Care Version covers the latest Medicare rules and regulations so that you can help your facility provide quality resident care, document successfully, bill appropriately for services, and prevent payment denials. Medicare Boot Camp—Long-Term Care Version follows a Medicare patient from preadmission through discharge, addressing the function of each department, and uncovering the pitfalls along the way.

Upcoming CMS Events

Thursday, April 6, 12:00pm-1:30pm ET - Beyond Alzheimer’s Disease – Other Causes of Progressive Dementia in the Older Adult Webinar

Thursday, April 6, 1:30pm-3:00pm ET - Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO: Preparing to Apply for the 2018 Program Year Call

Thursday, April 13, 1:30pm-3:00pm ET - Open Payments: Prepare to Review Reported Data Call

Tuesday, April 25, 12:00pm-1:45pm ET - Hospice Quality Reporting Program Provider Training

Thursday, April 27, 2:30pm-3:30pm ET - Emergency Preparedness Requirements Final Rule Training Call

Wednesday, May 10 - Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Plan Spring Conference & Webcast

Thursday, May 11 - Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Audit & Enforcement Conference & Webcast

Wednesday and Thursday, May 3-4, Baltimore, MD - 2-day, in person Home Health Quality Reporting Program Provider Training

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