Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare This final rule will revise the Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare cost plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) regulations to implement changes related to Star Ratings, marketing and communications, health equity, provider directories, coverage criteria, prior…… Continue reading CMS Final Rule: Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare Cost Plan and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
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
Significant Updates to Internet Only Manual: Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Manual, Chapter 6
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted Transmittal 11996 on April 27, 2023: There are 2 pages of this 46-page Transmittal that identify revisions and deletions to this Manual.
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