If you’ve been paying attention to the progression of CMS’ new payment system to replace RUG-IV, beginning with the advanced notice of proposed rule-making published last April, when it was introduced as the Resident-Classification System, to the proposed rule published this May, when it was revamped and renamed the Patient-Drive Payment Model (PDPM), the good news is that the biggest change is behind us. The SNF PPS final rule released by CMS this week doesn’t deviate too much from the proposed rule, but as experts get a chance to read through the 424-page document, they have a mix of concerns, words of advice, and positive outlooks for change. It’s official: According to CMS’ Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) final rule published in the Federal Register yesterday evening, the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM)—the new case-mix methodology to replace RUG-IV)—is effective October 1, 2018. Facilities will have a year to transition to PDPM from RUG-IV by the October 1, 2019 implementation date. The hospice industry will receive $340 million in increased payments in 2019, according to CMS’ final hospice payment rule posted Aug. 1 on the Federal Register. That’s nearly twice the payment increase from 2018. CMS has once again extended its moratoria on new home health agencies and new branches of existing home health agencies by six months in six metropolitan areas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has rolled out its second installment of its antibiotic stewardship program. Two more segments are set to follow later this year. New in the August issue of PPS Alert for Long-Term Care... Staff training: Implementing restorative nursing A regional director for a SNF company with 24 facilities dialed the conference number for the “strategic planning” call that had appeared on the calendars of most of the corporate team. The CEO had set up the call just the day before; nobody really had much of an idea why. The di-rector hoped it was a response to the rash of open posi-tions throughout the company, but she wasn’t optimistic. Not a subscriber? Sign up here. Monthly In-Service: August issue of CNA Training Advisor Replacing alarms with person-centered care approaches Click here to receive a new lesson plan every month, including course materials, a 4-page in-service, and a quiz targeted to address the unique needs, interests, and concerns of CNAs. Education and Training Tools Understand how PDPM differs from RUG classification system Compliance Checkup With the Revised Home Health CoPs Make Way for PDGM | | Product Spotlight At HCPro, we help your organization make faster, better decisions by connecting your challenges and questions to an unrivaled network of experts, resources, and solutions. With a shared-cost membership, you can expect world-class thinking and advice without having to worry about the meter running or expensive consulting fees. An all-encompassing offering, PROPELAdvisory Services is available in six domains, with more on the way. Our growing family includes memberships in Medicare, long-term care, clinical documentation improvement, medical staff, coding, and revenue cycle management. Click here to learn more, or contact us at: 615-724-7213 | advisoryservices@hcpro.com |
| |