Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering an updated web-based training series on the assessment and coding of Section GG. This training is intended for providers in the following post-acute care (PAC) settings: Home Health Agencies (HHAs), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs), Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs), and…… Continue reading Section GG Web-Based Training Series

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On October 26, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration, has released the HHS Health Workforce Strategic Plan.   This Health Workforce Strategic Plan, required by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides a forward-looking…… Continue reading Health Workforce Strategic Plan

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Office of Inspector General has just added some items to its Work Plan that bear watching for in 2022:

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare A recent article in Harvard Medicine (Autumn 2021 issue) caught my eye and has given me plenty to think about.  I encourage you to review the piece and give it some thought as well.  The subtitle of A Place for Dignity in Eldercare? is “As a…… Continue reading Food for Thought: A Place for Dignity in Eldercare?

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted Transmittal 11052 – Change Request 12487 (4-pages) on October 14, 2021.  On October 13, 2021, CMS posted Transmittal 11045 – Change Request 12427.

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare 2021-2022 Influenza (Flu) Season: CDC Key Points and Frequently Asked Questions — The burden of flu in the United States can vary widely and is determined by several factors, including the characteristics of circulating influenza viruses, the timing of the season, how many people have preexisting…… Continue reading COVID-19 Healthcare Quality and Worker Safety Information

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Late afternoon of September 28, 2021, CDC, HHS and CMS posted this 6-page Fact Sheet (dated September 27, 2021). “Most Afghan evacuees arriving in the United States will be eligible for health insurance. Afghan evacuees can access health insurance through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program…… Continue reading Health Coverage Options for Afghan Evacuees

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted the annual update of the Post-Acute Care and Hospice Provider Public Use File (herein known as “PAC PUF”) with data for 2019 on September 28, 2021.  The PAC PUF now has data available for years 2013-2019.  The PAC PUF presents summarized information on services…… Continue reading Annual Update of the Post-Acute Care and Hospice Provider Public Use File

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has just posted Transmittal 11025 – Change Request 12399.  Note the red verbiage at the top of this Transmittal: Transmittal 10963, dated August 19, 2021, is being rescinded and replaced by Transmittal 11025, dated, September 28, 2021 to: (1) revise spreadsheet 110.23, Stem Cell Transplants,…… Continue reading ICD-10 and Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determination (NCDs)–January 2022  Transmittal 11025: September 28, 2021

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Effective September 20, 2021, CMS exercised enforcement discretion for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) consolidated billing provisions related to flu and pneumococcal vaccines. This allows Medicare-enrolled immunizers, including pharmacies, to bill directly and get direct reimbursement from the Medicare program (including vaccine administration and product), whether these…… Continue reading Flu & Pneumococcal Vaccines: Expanded SNF Enforcement Discretion for Certain Pharmacy Billing