Skilled Nursing Facility

Q: Can we use U07.1 (COVID-19 virus, identified) for suspected COVID-19 cases? A: The ICD-10-CM guidelines now state you can only code confirmed cases of COVID-19, and only positive COVID-19 test results can be reported as well. For a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, code U07.1 should be reported. This is an exception to inpatient coding guidelines, …

Home Health

NAHC hosting COVID-19 town halls to address vaccine hesitancy

With concern about staff refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) will present a series of town hall events, beginning February 17. The weekly webinars will include clinical experts from three care groups to “answer a series of tough questions about vaccine hesitancy among caregivers based on their first-hand …

Featured Podcast

Home Health Infection Control Compliance

Join expert Patty Klinefelter of LW Consulting to learn more about what home health agencies need to be on top of to successfully pass their infection surveys. Post-Acute Advisor · Home Health Infection Control Compliance

Skilled Nursing Facility

New York nursing homes under fire after accusations of under-reporting COVID-19 deaths

New York state nursing homes are under fire as reports surface stating that COVID-19 deaths may have been under-counted by 50%. A sample of 62 nursing homes showed that a substantial number of deaths were not included in the official death toll when the deaths occurred at hospitals after transfers, states NY Attorney General (AG) …

Home Health

CMS reminding hospice providers to address deficiencies in quality of care

CMS has created a fact sheet to show hospice providers how to create an effective plan of care. The agency notes an Office of Inspector General (OIG) report in 2019 found most hospices have at least one deficiency when it comes to their quality of care. The fact sheet is expected to help hospice providers …

PPS Alert for Long-Term Care

Understanding Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. More than 4 million Americans have AD. The disease is characterized by memory loss, language deterioration, poor judgment, and inability to care for personal needs.