CMS removes civil monetary penalties for prior noncompliance solely on a per-instance basis

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements

CMS is hereby removing the July 7, 2017 Memo (S&C 17-37-NH) from its guidancerepository. CMS is hereby removing the July 7, 2017 Memo (S&C 17-37-NH) from its guidance repository. In that memo, CMS instructed CMS Locations (formerly “Regional Offices”) to impose civil monetary penalties for prior noncompliance solely on a per-instance basis. Upon further consideration, CMS has determined that the …

Older Happy Americans

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) – Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2020

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements

NCHS publishes annual and decennial national life tables based on final vital statistics. To assess the effects on life expectancy of excess mortality observed during 2020, NCHS published provisional life expectancy estimates for the months January through June 2020, in February 2021. This report presents updated estimates of life expectancy based on provisional mortality data for the full year, January …

US Capitol dome with US flag and large COVID virus

Renewal of Determination That A Public Health Emergency Exists

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements

On July 19, 2021 Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services renewed that a public health emergency exists and has existed since January 27, 2020, as a result of the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Read the full renewal here: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/COVID-19July2021.aspx

HHS Announces $103 Million from American Rescue Plan to Strengthen Resiliency and Address Burnout in the Health Workforce

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of an estimated $103 million in American Rescue Plan funding over a three-year period to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health workforce. These investments, which take into particular consideration the needs of rural and medically underserved communities, …

Surgeon General’s Advisory Warns About the Urgent Threat of Health Misinformation

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Health

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is issuing the first Surgeon General’s Advisory of this Administration to warn the American public about the urgent threat of health misinformation. Health misinformation, including disinformation, have threatened the U.S. response to COVID-19 and continue to prevent Americans from getting vaccinated, prolonging the pandemic and putting lives at risk, and the advisory encourages technology …

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 …

APIC Supports Growing Number of Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policies in Healthcare Facilities

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) announced its support for hospitals and health systems that are requiring all employees and clinical team members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. “APIC applauds healthcare organizations for taking this bold patient safety step,” said APIC 2021 President Ann Marie Pettis, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC. “Low …

SavaSeniorCare LLC Agrees to Pay $11.2 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements

SavaSeniorCare LLC and related entities (Sava), based in Georgia, have agreed to pay $11.2 million, plus additional amounts if certain financial contingencies occur, to resolve allegations that Sava violated the False Claims Act by causing its skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to bill the Medicare program for rehabilitation therapy services that were not reasonable, necessary or skilled, and to resolve allegations …