Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) 5-Claim Probe and Educate Review

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Today, May 4, 2023, CMS issued Transmittal 12015 with same title as this blog. The Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) program for SNFs (skilled nursing facility) projected an improper payment rate of 15.1 percent in 2022, up from 7.79% in 2021. SNF service errors were determined…… Continue reading Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) 5-Claim Probe and Educate Review

Updated Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccine Use

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations by age group and for those with immunocompromise. They will also highlight optional COVID-19 vaccine doses for specific populations. With this simplified schedule, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend that everyone…… Continue reading Updated Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccine Use

Ending COVID-⁠19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees, Contractors, International Travelers, Head Start Educators and CMS-Certified Facilities

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Late afternoon on May 1, 2023, the White House issued this Press Release: In 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration announced COVID-19 vaccination requirements to promote the health and safety of individuals and the efficiency of workplaces, protecting vital sectors of our economy and vulnerable populations. Since January…… Continue reading Ending COVID-⁠19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees, Contractors, International Travelers, Head Start Educators and CMS-Certified Facilities

Updates to Coverage for COVID-19 Tests After PHE Ends General Consumer Information

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare What you need to know: The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is to end on May 11, 2023. The ending of the Public Health Emergency may impact an individual’s coverage of COVID-19 tests. We encourage you to know these changes and share the New Consumer Fact Sheet…… Continue reading Updates to Coverage for COVID-19 Tests After PHE Ends General Consumer Information

Guidance for the Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted QSO-23-13-ALLon May 1, 2023 with the same title as the blog. The Secretary’s authority in Section 1135 of the Social Security Act (the “Act”), allowed CMS to issue several temporary emergency statutory and regulatory waivers and flexibilities to help providers respond to the COVID-19…… Continue reading Guidance for the Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Washington State: Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities and Enhanced Services Facilities Timeline of Transitions to Behavioral Health Personal Care (BHPC) Delayed

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On April 23, 2023, the legislature released the anticipated conference budget. Based on our review, funding was not provided to implement a new 1915(i) benefit on July 1, 2023 (as described in the message below). Based on budget language, the Health Care Authority anticipates a new implementation date…… Continue reading Washington State: Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities and Enhanced Services Facilities Timeline of Transitions to Behavioral Health Personal Care (BHPC) Delayed

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – A Time for Self-Care

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare I’m showcasing an article authored last week by Anita Everett, M.D. DFAPA, Director of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) that spoke to me when I read it. With all the chaos of the past 3+ years of the PHE, coupled with other threats to…… Continue reading May is Mental Health Awareness Month – A Time for Self-Care

Administration Proposes New Standards to Help Ensure Access to Quality Health Care in Medicaid and CHIP  

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare April 27, 2023 … The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today unveiled two notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs), Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services (Access NPRM) and Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality (Managed Care NPRM), that together would further strengthen access to and quality of care across Medicaid…… Continue reading Administration Proposes New Standards to Help Ensure Access to Quality Health Care in Medicaid and CHIP  

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

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has posted the nursing home COVID-19 data for the week ending April 16, 2023. Comparing the April 16, 2023 data to the April 9, 2023 data shows these changes: Resident primary vaccination completion rate remained unchanged this past week; Residents up to date with vaccines…… Continue reading Latest CMS, CDC and NHSN Nursing Home COVID-19 Data