Woman with bandage on shoulder and CMS logo behind her

Vaccines and Survey!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

CMS has rolled out mandatory vaccine requirements for employees working in post-acute care settings. The regulation clearly states that communities must provide documentation that their employee vaccination rate is 100%, excluding exemptions and delays. So, what does this mean to you? Bottom line, if your center is cited for not meeting the 100% vaccine requirement for employees, you will likely …

Dial marked Quality pointed to the high setting

CMS Quality Measurement: Where it’s Headed and How We Will Get There

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) discusses the goals for advancing quality measurement in the next 5-10 years, focusing on streamlining measures to reduce the burden and the transition to digital quality measures. CMS staff also provides an overview and highlight key components of its newly finalized Digital Quality Measurement Blueprint. The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is …

CMS Citation Disputes – Michigan Only

Angie SzumlinskiFeatured

Did you know that your Michigan facility is allowed to dispute deficiencies cited by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)? According to the Department Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website, “CMS offers providers the opportunity to dispute cited deficiencies on the CMS 2567. Submissions for dispute must be received by MPRO within 10 calendar days of receipt of the …

CMS Provides Updated Guidance for Emergency Preparedness Exemptions

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Featured

CMS updated their guidance related to emergency preparedness for exercise exemptions based on a facility’s activation of their Emergency Plan. The guidance applies to the below qualified facilities: CMS recognizes many facilities are still operating under disaster/emergency conditions during the PHE, i.e., under an activated emergency plan. We are therefore providing additional guidance for inpatient providers/suppliers, consistent with the exemption …

CMS – Expanding Vaccine Confidence

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Featured

A CMS Press Release on May 11, 2021 explained the new rule issued by CMS that is aimed at “expanding efforts to grow COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake amongst the nations most vulnerable”. As part of the ongoing response to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and to improve health care access and reduce the risk of severe illness and death from …

3-Day Waiver

Angie SzumlinskiNews

“Using the authority under Section 1812(f) of the [Social Security] Act, CMS waived the requirement for a 3-day prior hospitalization for coverage of a SNF stay, which provides temporary emergency coverage of SNF services without a qualifying hospital stay, for those people who experience dislocations, or are otherwise affected by COVID-19,” the agency wrote. It’s this portion of the three-day …

Cognitive Assessment and Care Plan Services

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Featured

Section 116 of the Consolidated Appropriations At, 2020 P.L., (116-260) requires CMS to conduct provider outreach and education for the Medicare-covered Cognitive Assessment & Care Plan Services (CPT code 99843) to increase awareness of this service and its eligibility requirements. In a recent “Change Request” ®, the requirements for provider outreach and education, including a direct mailing from the Medicare …

CMS Memo: Growing COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence

Angie SzumlinskiNews

On May 11, 2021, CMS issued a rule requiring long term care facilities to educate residents/resident representatives and staff about the COVID-19 vaccine. This rule is similar to existing requirements for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in long term care facilities, and appropriate documentation of the vaccine education must be maintained. Additionally, the facility must offer the vaccine unless unless the …

CDC: Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, News

Summary of Recent Changes Updates as of April 27, 2021 Updated SARS-CoV-2 testing recommendations Updated visitation guidance to include recommendations for acute care facilities and to describe circumstances when source control and physical distancing are not required during visitation Added guidance for communal activities and dining in healthcare settings Key Points CDC has updated select healthcare infection prevention and control …

2022 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule

Angie SzumlinskiNews

On April 8, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would update Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities under the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2022. In addition, the proposed rule includes proposals for the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP), and the SNF Value-Based …