Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare “The Unified Agenda provides uniform reporting of data on regulatory and deregulatory activities under development throughout the Federal Government, covering approximately 60 departments, agencies, and commissions. Each edition of the Unified Agenda includes regulatory agendas from all Federal entities that currently have regulations under development…… Continue reading Fall 2019 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Office of Inspector General’s Fall 2019 Semi-Annual Report to Congress is now available.  This 107-page report describes “OIG’s work on identifying significant problems, abuses, deficiencies, remedies, and investigative outcomes relating to the administration of HHS programs and operations that were disclosed during the reporting…… Continue reading OIG Semi-Annual Report to Congress

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On December 2, 2019, CMS issued QSO-20-04-Hospital-CAH DPU that impacts all types of hospitals and/or Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) beginning December 2, 2019.  This 46-page QSO provides a great deal of instructional information so be sure to review it carefully and share it with your…… Continue reading Electronic Report of a Hospital/CAH/LTCH Death Associated with Restraint or Seclusion

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted Transmittal 129 – Change Request 11542 on Friday, November 22, 2019.  The Effective Date of this transmittal is January 1, 2020 with Implementation Date of January 6, 2020. The corresponding MLN Matters provides a 3-page review of this update as well as some…… Continue reading Update to Medicare Deductible, Coinsurance and Premium Rates for CY2020

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare You or a loved one – like 3 million people in the U.S. – may face an antibiotic-resistant infection. The above statement is found in the Forward of a just-released CDC report: Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States – 2019.  This is the second…… Continue reading 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the U.S.

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Candida auris (C. auris) has been on the infectious disease community’s radar for a few years now.  This emerging fungus (yeast) presents a serious global health threat. CDC is concerned about C. auris for these three main reasons (bolding added by me): It is often…… Continue reading What Do You Know About Candida Auris?

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Just a few minutes ago, I received this MLN Connects Special Edition – Tuesday, November 12, 2019 in my inbox.  Claims Reject caught my attention. Subject: HICN Claims Reject “We are 50 days out from the end of the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) transition period.…… Continue reading Billers – 50 Days Out: Are You Using the MBI on Your Medicare Claims?

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare We’re all working to provide trauma-informed care to residents in our facilities.  We’re also cognizant of the effect trauma may have on our staff.  Trauma-informed care doesn’t happen overnight – it’s a process of understanding what trauma is, identifying residents and working to eliminate or mitigate…… Continue reading Add ACE Information to Your Preparation for Trauma-Informed Care

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has provided information regarding Medicare Part B immunization billing, specifically seasonal Influenza virus, Pneumococcal and Hepatitis B. A 15-page MLN Educational Tool is a great resource for your billers for these immunizations. In addition, you have access to information regarding preventive services: Medicare Preventive…… Continue reading Medicare Part B Immunization Billing and Preventive Services Information

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare This morning, NPUAP – National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel – announced that it has changed its name.  The new name is National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel or NPIAP.  I’ve excerpted these statements from their press release: “The new name reflects the future direction of the…… Continue reading Name Change for NPUAP