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Post-Acute Advisor

Proposed 2018 hospice rule increases payments by $180 million, details Hospice Compare

 

Medicare’s hospice payments, adjusted for inflation and other factors, would rise an estimated 1% in 2018, according to the proposed hospice payment rule posted April 27. That’s a $180 million increase. By comparison, the 2017 final rule included a 2.1% increase — $350 million — in payments.

 

 

To help ward off Alzheimer’s, think before you eat

 

By Judith Graham, Kaiser Health News

 

Editorial Note: This article has been republished with permission from the author

 

Diets designed to boost brain health, targeted largely at older adults, are a new, noteworthy development in the field of nutrition.

 

 

Hospice, hospital readmissions and penalty implications

 

Editorial note: This blog post has been republished from Reg’s Blog: Senior and Post-Acute Healthcare News and Topics, with permission from the author.

 

Late yesterday, a reader posed this question to me: “When hospitals discharge to hospice and if the hospice has to readmit to the hospital, the hospital doesn’t get penalized for the readmit…Is this true?” Since this question is not one that I have been asked before, my guess is that others may have a similar query. My answer is as follows:

 

 

NCAL will hold Assisted Living Briefing for providers heading to the hill in June: Register here

 

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) will hold a Congressional Briefing on June 5-6, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Assisted living providers heading to the hill are encouraged to get briefed on Monday, June 5, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM, and must register for the event.

 

 

Public comments due June 26 for IMPACT Act data elements

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has contracted with the RAND Corporation to develop standardized patient/resident assessment data elements in alignment with the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act).

 

 

Other Post-Acute News

 

*New in PPS Alert for Long-Term Care* Five common challenges and tips for ensuring HIPAA compliance in long-term care: From managing electronic health records to social media

 

Those of us who work in the healthcare industry are pretty familiar with HIPAA; however, on occasion there is still confusion about what can and cannot be shared with others. Therefore, let’s discuss some top tips for getting what you need to know, without giving away what you shouldn’t.

 

SNF consolidated billing rule will seek public comment in July: Brush up on the five major categories here

 

A thorough understanding of how consolidated billing works will help billing and administrative staff determine which residents are subject to consolidated billing when there is a leave of absence, pay the correct vendor invoices, communicate efficiently with other vendors and physicians, and determine the Medicare allowable amount for services provided by outside vendors.

 

Put Your QAPI Plan Into Action, Prepare for CoPs, Achieve 5-Star Rating

 

CMS has granted home health agencies six additional months to prepare the Conditions of Participation—so don’t waste any more time. Implementing the CoPs is a huge time and cost burden so the sooner agencies begin to put policies and procedures into place, the better off they’ll be on Jan. 13, 2018.

 

Successful PPS scheduling: Receive optimal reimbursement while reducing default and provider-liable days

 

To receive optimal reimbursement for services, it’s essential to remove the confusion surrounding PPS scheduled and unscheduled assessments. Understand how to manage the process, including meetings to conduct, tools to implement, and ways to keep everything on track.

 

Infection control: How to implement an effective approach for long-term care

 

Among skilled nursing facilities, infection control violations make up one of the most common survey deficiencies. Frontline staff need tools and guidance to remain compliant with the government’s revised infection control policies implemented in CMS Final Rule.
 

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Upcoming CMS Events

 

 

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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