From CMS' press release on October 8, 2020 there are amended terms for repayment on Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program. This allows CMS to make advance payments to providers and are typically used in emergencies.
Read MoreCMS Announcement: New Repayment Terms for COVID-19 Medicare Loans
Posted on: October 12, 2020
HHS Announcement: More Provider Relief Funding Available
Posted on: October 9, 2020
| HHS announced $20 billion in new funding for providers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Phase 3 distribution was made possible through the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (which allocated $175 billion in relief funds to hospitals, skilled nursing, home health and other healthcare providers.) Skilled nursing & home health providers and others who have received Provider Relief Fund payments (and some who were previously ineligible providers) are invited to apply for additional funding to cover operating expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
On the ~Anniversary of PDPM, “Oops!” says CMS
Posted on: October 9, 2020
On CMS' Technical Page, the agency announced via this post that an error was made in the PDPM Grouper! Six ICD-10 codes (T8484XA, T8389XA, T8321XA, T82399A, T82392A, and T83021A) were excluded. These codes are significant, because they contribute points toward the NTA case mix group when coded on the PPS MDS assessment.
Read MoreInterim Final Rule Released
Posted on: September 1, 2020
On August 25, CMS released an Interim Final Rule that outlined five major provisions applicable for the duration of the public health emergency.
Read MoreWhat Does Medicare's Final Rule for FY21 Mean for SNFs?
Posted on: August 3, 2020
With our industry’s focus on the COVID-19 public health emergency, this year’s Final Rule addresses essential policies only, while incorporating some impactful PDPM updates. There is a strong theme emphasizing a continued commitment to keeping providers connected through electronic means to promote the exchange and reuse of patient assessment data. The MDS is at the top of that list with discharge information being critical to ensure necessary medical information is shared and transferred among post hospital settings. The MDS will not have the anticipated major over haul until 2 years from the end of the Public Health Emergency, likely October 2022. This is good news for interdisciplinary teams that have been adjusting to many related changes and communication methods. Accuracy and collaboration remain critical for the current environment as well as future changes.
Read MoreNothing to See Here: Proposed Rule FY2021 Outlines (Thankfully) Unremarkable Changes
Posted on: April 11, 2020
On Friday (April 10), CMS issued the FY2021 SNF PPS Proposed Rule (effective October 1, 2020) and proposes unsurprising payment rate adjustments, changes to the case-mix classification code mappings, and tweaks for the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. Considering recent pressures related to the COVID-19 crisis, the SNF industry is taking a collective sigh of relief.
Read MoreTake it to the Next Level Under PDPM - Five Smart Reimbursement Practices
Posted on: March 6, 2020
When it comes to clinical reimbursement opportunities, HealthPRO Heritage asks: “Is your clinical team leaving no stone unturned?” As national healthcare consultants with a progressive approach to PDPM, HealthPRO Heritage offers five simple (but not easy*) strategies to compliantly optimize clinical-based reimbursement.
"If it were easy….then everyone would do it!"
Read MoreCMS Watching Home Health Providers Closely Amid Shifting Therapy Strategies
Posted on: February 28, 2020
CMS issues warning to home health agencies – don’t aggressively change your therapy utilization!
“There is no need to drastically change behavior,” says Senior Vice President of Home Health Operations David Jones. “In fact, agencies that do are at risk under the watchful eye of CMS.”
Read MoreHow to Supercharge Your Nursing Strategy for 2020 & Beyond
Posted on: February 11, 2020
To achieve, or maintain high marks on performance outcomes – and ultimately drive census & fiscal upside – HealthPRO Heritage suggests: Supercharge your strategy with on-the-ground support for your Nursing team.
Read MoreMeasuring PDGM Success - Industry Expert Weighs In
Posted on: February 5, 2020
With one month since the PDGM transition, the industry asks, “How can we assure and measure whether our teams are successfully navigating the transition to PDGM?” Jason Sasser, PTA/CWT/CSST/ COQS, Vice President of Clinical Strategies, HealthPRO Heritage at Home, reflects on the industry’s most pertinent questions related to PDGM best practices and how to measure success.
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