Both hospice and home health providers are required to resume quality data reporting for episodes beginning on or after July 1, 2020. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provided an exception for hospice and home health providers from submitting quality data due to the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for three calendar quarters – October 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Even …
2021 Release of ICD-10-CM Codes
Below is a repost of a Briggs post written by Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP, Clinical Consultant, Briggs Healthcare. The 2021 ICD-10-CM codes are to be used from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. Note: This replaces the FY 2020 release. These files listed below represent the FY 2021 ICD-10-CM. The FY 2021 ICD-10-CM is available in both PDF (Adobe) and XML file …
CY21 Home Health Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule Released
Below is a repost of a Briggs post written by Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP, Clinical Consultant, Briggs Healthcare. On June 25, 2020, CMS issued the annual home health payment proposed rule for calendar year (CY) 2021. The CY21 Home Health PPS Proposed Rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, June 30, 2020. Two (2) important reads: CY21 HH PPS …
CMS-R-131 Receives OMB Approval
The ABN, Form CMS-R-131, and form instructions have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The use of the renewed form with the expiration date of 06/30/2023 will be mandatory on 8/31/2020. The ABN form and instructions may be found at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN. The previous form was set to expire on March 30, 2020; OMB approved …
CDC releases consolidated COVID-19 testing recommendations
Below is a repost of a Briggs post written by Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP, Clinical Consultant, Briggs Healthcare. On Saturday, June 13, 2020, CDC “released consolidated recommendations for COVID-19 testing, including interim testing guidelines for nursing home residents and healthcare personnel, as well as testing strategy options for high-density critical infrastructure workplaces after a COVID-19 case is identified. These recommendations compile and update …
FDA, CMS, CDC and OIG COVID-19 updates for 1st 2 weeks of June 2020
Below is a repost of a Briggs post written by Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP, Clinical Consultant, Briggs Healthcare. CDC updated the following COVID-19 guidance during the 1st two (2) weeks of June: Using Telehealth to Expand Access to Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings Updated Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers NHSN LTCF Guide to Using …
Selecting (and defending) the primary diagnosis
Getting the right primary diagnosis can be a real challenge, and generate some lively debate among clinicians, QA managers and coders. Ultimately, we must meet the requirements for payment under the Medicare coverage and payment regulations. The primary diagnosis must be supported by documentation in three places The Face-to-Face encounter note from the physician or non-physician provider The problem(s) identified …
BREAKING NEWS: Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results Available on Nursing Home Compare
Below is a repost of a Briggs article written by Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP, Clinical Consultant, Briggs Healthcare. “Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is posting the first set of underlying coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nursing home data. On April 19, 2020, CMS announced the requirement that nursing homes to inform residents, their families, and their representatives of COVID-19 cases …
Medicare temporarily expands coverage of telehealth services
Telehealth is a visit with a provider that uses telecommunication systems between a provider and a patient. Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services by waiving 42 CFR § 484.55(a), allowing home health agencies to perform the initial assessment remotely. The initial assessment must still be provided within 48 hours of the patient’s referral or return home from …
AMDA Considerations to Consider Before Implementing Universal Testing
Below is a repost of a Briggs article written by Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP, Clinical Consultant, Briggs Healthcare. AMDA posted this document on May 18, 2020. Here is the issue that the document addresses: “There is a clear understanding that protecting our vulnerable post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) population is dependent on adequate access to testing. Testing must be readily accessible, completed in a timely …