Here are some Regulatory updates related to COVID-19 vaccinations and education and reporting. From the Interim Final Rule released yesterday to the SNF FY 2022 Proposed Rule, CNS requirements related to COVID-19 vaccination administration and reporting are serious business. Interim Final Rule: (Medicare and Medicaid Programs; COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities and… Continue reading Regulatory Reminder
Author: Joel VanEaton
SNF FY 2022 Proposed Rule – Learn the Facts Behind the Headlines Part 3: How is My Rate Calculated
Have you ever wondered just how CMS comes up with your Medicare Part A rate? Year in and year out, the rates shift, but what makes up the components of that rate and why does a shift occur each year? Market Basket Update Every year CMS updates the PPS rate based on changes in the… Continue reading SNF FY 2022 Proposed Rule – Learn the Facts Behind the Headlines Part 3: How is My Rate Calculated
Regulatory Reminders: COVID Waiver Updates
There have been lots of questions swirling around related to the status of the remaining COVID-19 waivers that CMS has issues related to the ongoing Public Health Emergency (PHE), especially related to the 3-day stay waiver. There have been several updates recently that help answer these questions. Please download copies of the appropriate documents linked… Continue reading Regulatory Reminders: COVID Waiver Updates
SNF FY 2022 Proposed Rule – Learn the Facts Behind the Headlines Part 2: Don’t Forget About Your Wage Index!
Among the many required updates that CMS is mandated to make each year related to the SNF PPS rate, there is one pesky little number that often gets lost in the shuffle. That number is the wage index. The wage index is an adjustment to the SNF PPS rate that accounts for regional differences in… Continue reading SNF FY 2022 Proposed Rule – Learn the Facts Behind the Headlines Part 2: Don’t Forget About Your Wage Index!
SNF FY 2022 Proposed Rule – Learn the Facts Behind the Headlines Part 1
Today we start a blog series dedicated to unpacking the FY 2022 SNF PPS Proposed Rule that was released late in the day on April 8th. CMS has proposed many significant initiatives that will affect every aspect of Skilled Nursing Operations in the coming months and years to come. This first blog will address the… Continue reading SNF FY 2022 Proposed Rule – Learn the Facts Behind the Headlines Part 1
Regulatory Reminder
It’s been a while since we sent out the last Regulatory Reminder. As we have been preparing for our Reflections call today I downloaded a copy of the most recent (March) 5-Star preview report from CASPER and, to my surprise, there were a few important announcements that CMS conveyed using that format related to the… Continue reading Regulatory Reminder
The Power of the PDPM Primary Diagnosis
Since the inception of the PDPM, providers have grappled with the nuances of the new payment system in an effort to ensure that reimbursement accommodate the services that are provided to each resident. The challenge has been that the PDPM is nothing like the former RUG-IV system in which facilities were essentially paid for volume… Continue reading The Power of the PDPM Primary Diagnosis
Regulatory Reminder!
Well we are two weeks into a new year and there is no rest for the weary for sure. CMS has been busy and there have been several regulatory adjustments that have been announced to which we need to pay attention. This installment of Regulatory Reminders will focus on four updates that have been implemented… Continue reading Regulatory Reminder!
Regulatory Reminder
In the final days of 2020, CMS posted a list of Measures Under Consideration or MUCs. CMS is required by statute to do this every December as a pre rulemaking process. This pre rulemaking process provides CMS with the vehicle to hear from stakeholders for early consideration of measures. It lists the measures that CMS… Continue reading Regulatory Reminder
Regulatory Reminder!
You may have been aware thorough our communication as well as other sources that CMS, earlier this year, indicated that due to the COVID waivers related to MDS submissions and Survey activity the 5-star rating related to both of these domains would be “frozen” until April 2022. Well, not so fast! Late Friday, CMS issues… Continue reading Regulatory Reminder!