Strengthened Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS just posted QSO-23-10-NH (4 pages) with the same title as this blog. Please review this Memorandum with your team and share it will your colleagues. The entire Memorandum is important so be sure to review it in its entirety, including these items on the last…… Continue reading Strengthened Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes

What Problems has OIG Identified with the Hospice Program?

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Hospice care is for terminally ill patients who decide to forgo curative treatment and instead receive palliative care. To be eligible, a patient must be certified as having a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal…… Continue reading What Problems has OIG Identified with the Hospice Program?

Upcoming SNF/LTC Open Door Forum – April 13, 2023

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The next CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum scheduled for:   Date:  Thursday, April 13, 2023 Start Time:  2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) Please dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time. Conference Leaders: Todd Smith &…… Continue reading Upcoming SNF/LTC Open Door Forum – April 13, 2023

Enhancements to PDPM Claim Edits to Improve Claim Processing

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted Transmittal 11932 on March 29, 2023 – same title as this blog. I. GENERAL INFORMATION A. Background: This Change Request (CR) implements changes to correct claims processing edits. This CR is applicable to the Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS) and the Common Working File…… Continue reading Enhancements to PDPM Claim Edits to Improve Claim Processing

World TB Day

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare World Tuberculosis (TB) Day – To celebrate World TB Day, CDC is continuing our efforts to raise awareness of latent TB infection testing and treatment among healthcare providers. New Think. Test. Treat TB resources and activities are available to help healthcare providers: Know the risk factors…… Continue reading World TB Day

CMS Posts Multiple COVID-19-Related QSO Memorandums – March 28, 2023

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The following QSO Memorandums were posted today – March 28, 2023 – to announce their expirations: QSO-20-39-NH Visitation … EXPIRED 3/10/2021. Effective 03/20/2021, this memo was replaced by QSO-20-39-NH Revised, see the revised memo for current visitation guidance during the COVID-19 public health emergency. QSO-20-26-NH Upcoming…… Continue reading CMS Posts Multiple COVID-19-Related QSO Memorandums – March 28, 2023

Latest CMS, CDC and NHSN Nursing Home COVID-19 Data

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has posted the COVID-19 nursing home data for the week ending March 12, 2023. Comparing the March 12, 2023 data to the March 5, 2023 data shows these changes: Resident primary vaccination completion rate remained the same as past week; Residents up to date with vaccines…… Continue reading Latest CMS, CDC and NHSN Nursing Home COVID-19 Data

Important Updates on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Swingtech sends informational messages to hospices related to the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) on a quarterly basis. Their latest outreach communication can be found on the HQRP Requirements and Best Practices web page. If you want to receive Swingtech’s quarterly emails, then add or update the…… Continue reading Important Updates on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)

Critical Access Hospitals: Bill Correctly

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Information for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) booklet (14 pages – February 2023) explains how to properly document and bill for services, including: Bed and board, nursing, and other related services Facilities Medical social services Drugs Biologicals Supplies, appliances, and equipment for inpatient hospital care and treatment An…… Continue reading Critical Access Hospitals: Bill Correctly