Post-Acute Advisor

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Industry cheers proposed delay of revised Home Health Conditions of Participation

Although home health leaders breathed a sigh of relief about CMS’ March 31 proposal to delay the revised Home Health Conditions of Participation (CoPs), industry experts contend agencies shouldn’t slam the brakes on preparedness efforts.

21 tips for infection control in-service: Staff competencies

A successful in-service program begins with policies and procedures. Once those are firmly in place, plan the content of your in-service education on defining the infection process and ways to contain and control the spread.

CMS decides to pause pre-claim reviews in Illinois and Florida

One day before the home health pre-claim review demonstration was slated to begin in Florida, CMS has decided not to expand the demo there for now. CMS also has decided to pause the demo in Illinois as of April 1, according to a March 31 post on CMS’ website.

Fine tune your antibiotic stewardship methods by November deadline

Prior to the publication of CMS’ final rule on October 4, 2016, which heavily revised many Conditions of Participation (CoP) for Medicare, the agency’s infection control regulation included language about preventing the threat of multi-drug-resistant organisms and creating strategies for effective review of antibiotic use in long-term care facilities to avoid negative, sometimes deadly, effects of resistance. Now, this revised section of the rule addresses antibiotic stewardship efforts directly, and requires providers to take a more targeted approach.

Last chance to win!

Our customer survey ends tomorrow, Friday April 7 at 5PM. When you take our short survey you’ll be entered to win a copy of the Long Term Care State Operations Manual from our marketplace. Your feedback is essential!

Click here to take the survey, or copy and paste the URL into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/99378TC

CMS releases early results of testing in preparation for new IMPACT Act measures

Initial pilot testing results related to the IMPACT Act show a few domains such as pain are straightforward and easy to complete. But other domains such as cognitive status and medication reconciliation will require some edits before they get adopted.

Ask the expert: Creating a policy for social media and HIPAA compliance

In 2016, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) enforcements and settlements hit a record high—and HIPAA’s vigilance isn’t expected to change under the new administration. Industry expert Reginald M. Hislop III, PhD, from H2 Consulting answers important questions for providers regarding HIPAA compliance and a highly talked about and talked on force: Social media.

Aging together: Seniors join elderly parents in assisted living

According to Kathrin Boerner, an associate professor of gerontology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, the elderly population (age 80+) is expected to increase 51% between 2010 and 2030. Two-thirds of this elderly population have “advanced-age children, who typically serve as their primary caregiver.”

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 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, 1:30pm-3:00pm ET - Hospice Quality Reporting Program Public Reporting Webinar

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

Tuesday, May 2, 2:00pm-3:30pm ET - IRF, LTCH, SNF QRP: Registration Open for Review and Correct Reports Provider Training – Live Webcast

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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