Revised HIPAA Basics for Providers Fact Sheet

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has posted a revised MLN Matters Fact Sheet – HIPAA Basics for Providers: Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules. The 8-page Fact Sheet addresses: The Privacy Rule, which sets national standards for when protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed. The Security…… Continue reading Revised HIPAA Basics for Providers Fact Sheet

Nursing Facility Case-Mix Payment Changes Announced

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare® CMS posted an informational bulletin on December 6, 2018 outlining the upcoming Medicaid case-mix payment changes as they relate to the implementation of the PDPM (Patient Driven Payment Model) classification/reimbursement system on October 1, 2019. These are the key points for the change: On October…… Continue reading Nursing Facility Case-Mix Payment Changes Announced

OIG Fall 2018 Semi-Annual Report to Congress

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare® The Office of Inspector General issued its Fall 2018 Semi-Annual Report to Congress on December 3, 2018.   The period covered by this 90-page report is April 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018. Highlights of OIG Accomplishments: Identifying Improper Payments and Opportunities for Savings in HHS…… Continue reading OIG Fall 2018 Semi-Annual Report to Congress

CMS Issues PBJ Updates, 2 New MDS Reports and Notifications to State/Regional Offices

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare® All of the information below was released on Friday, November 30th via QSO 19-02-NH and CMS Strengthens Nursing Home Oversight and Safety to Ensure Adequate Staffing – Press Release. Notification to States and CMS Regional Offices While CMS is encouraged by facilities’ efforts to improve…… Continue reading CMS Issues PBJ Updates, 2 New MDS Reports and Notifications to State/Regional Offices

[Free Webinar] Part II – The ABC’s of OASIS-D: A Step-by-Step Review of Changes Effective on January 1, 2019

Sharon Hamilton, RN, MS Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Tue, Dec 11, 2018 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST Start training your staff now on the new OASIS-D items. Join Sharon Hamilton and take an in-depth look at the GG and J items. Understand the difference between the M elements and the new standardized item sections…… Continue reading [Free Webinar] Part II – The ABC’s of OASIS-D: A Step-by-Step Review of Changes Effective on January 1, 2019

SNF/LTC Open Door Forum – Thursday, November 29, 2018

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare® The proposed agenda for the next Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum is scheduled for Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 2pm-3pm ET is as follows: Announcements & Updates: *Patient Driven Payment Model Update [https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/SNFPPS/PDPM.html , PDPM@cms.hhs.gov , MLN – National Provider Call (Tuesday, December 11,…… Continue reading SNF/LTC Open Door Forum – Thursday, November 29, 2018

CMS Provides Correct Link for Nursing Home Staff Competency Assessment Toolkit

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare® Last week, I wrote about the launch of the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP), a three-year effort to reduce adverse events, improve staffing quality and improve dementia care in nursing homes. In that blog, I included the website link to access the first of…… Continue reading CMS Provides Correct Link for Nursing Home Staff Competency Assessment Toolkit

CMS Launches Efforts to Improve Patient Safety, Quality of Care in Nursing Homes

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare® “Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced upcoming efforts to support better care and outcomes for nursing home residents under the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP). This three-year initiative aims to improve residents’ quality of life by equipping nursing home staff,…… Continue reading CMS Launches Efforts to Improve Patient Safety, Quality of Care in Nursing Homes

New CMS Website for SNFs – Patient Driven Payment Model

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare® At 2pm on the afternoon of November 19, 2018, CMS introduced a new website that includes “a variety of educational and training resources to assist stakeholders in preparing for PDPM implementation.” As you know, SNFs will using the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) – a…… Continue reading New CMS Website for SNFs – Patient Driven Payment Model

SNF PPS: New Patient Driven Payment Model Call

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare® Description On October 1, 2019, the new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) is replacing Resource Utilization Group, Version IV (RUG-IV) for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS). Topics: Overview of PDPM, a new case-mix classification system for SNF Part A beneficiaries Changeover…… Continue reading SNF PPS: New Patient Driven Payment Model Call