';
Tags Posts tagged with "CMS"

CMS

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a flyer regarding ODP’s Division of Quality Management’s QM Spotlight, the sixth in a series of quarterly publications that debunks the myth that entities are required to develop Quality Management Plans (QMP) for all Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)/Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Framework focus areas. Administrative Entities (AE), Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO), Providers, Quality Assessment and Improvement (QA&I) reviewers, and anyone who reviews QM plans — including their own — should reference this information as they develop and evaluate QM plans.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is informing all interested parties of the submission of the Consolidated, Community Living, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), and Adult Autism Waiver amendments to CMS. The waiver amendments are available on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website. It is anticipated that the amendments will be effective November 1, 2023.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

0 876

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the fiscal year (FY) 2024 inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule in the August 2, 2023, Federal Register. Some of the key provisions contained in the final rule include:

Payment and Coverage Provisions

  • FY 2024 Market Basket Update and Productivity Adjustment: For the FY 2024 IRF PPS payment adjustments, CMS estimates that ‎IRFs will see a 4.0 percent increase in total payments (totaling an increase of $355 million) ‎relative to FY 2023. This update is a result of a 3.6 percent market basket update, minus a ‎‎0.2 percent productivity adjustment.
  • 2021-Based IRF Market Basket: The final rule rebases and revises the IRF market ‎basket to reflect a 2021 base year (which reflects more recent data). ‎Moving forward, CMS says that it will “continue to monitor the Medicare cost report ‎data as they become available” and consider updates to the IRF market basket in future ‎rulemaking.‎
  • Case Mix Groups: Consistent with the proposed rule, CMS estimates that the vast ‎majority of cases will be in case mix groups (CMGs) and tiers that will see a ‎change of less than 5 percent in FY 2024. ‎
  • Outlier Threshold: CMS is finalizing the outlier threshold amount of $10,423, which is estimated to be ‎approximately 3 percent of the total estimated aggregate IRF payments in 2024. CMS also ‎notes that finalized changes in the Average Length of Stay (ALOS) values for FY 2024, ‎compared with FY 2023 ALOS values, are small and do not show any particular trends ‎in IRF length of stay patterns.
  • Wage Adjustments and Labor-Related Share: CMS finalized proposals to update the ‎wage index adjustments using the same methodology and factors as previous updates. ‎Based on forecasts, the total labor-related share for FY ‎‎2024 is 74.1 percent (the sum of 70.3 percent for operating costs and 3.8 percent for the labor-related share ‎of Capital-Related costs).
  • Impact Estimate: Overall, the estimated payments per discharge for IRFs in FY 2024 ‎are projected to increase by 4.0 percent, compared with the estimated payments in FY 2023. ‎IRF payments per discharge are estimated to increase by 4.0 percent in urban areas and 3.6 percent ‎in rural areas, compared with estimated FY 2023 payments. Payments per discharge to ‎rehabilitation units are estimated to increase 4.5 percent in urban areas and 3.9 percent in rural ‎areas. Payments per discharge to freestanding rehabilitation hospitals are estimated to ‎increase 3.7 percent in urban areas and 2.8 percent in rural areas.‎
  • Modifications for Excluded IRF Units: Consistent with the proposed rule, CMS is ‎finalizing new flexibilities for rehabilitation units that are seeking to be excluded from ‎the acute inpatient PPS and paid under the IRF PPS for the first time. Hospitals will now ‎be allowed to open a new IRF unit (and get paid as such) at any time within the cost ‎reporting year, instead of being limited to only the beginning of a cost reporting period. ‎The hospital must notify the CMS Regional Office and Medicare Administrative ‎Contractor (MAC) in writing at least 30 days before the change. If a unit becomes ‎excluded during a cost reporting year, that change must remain in effect at least through ‎the rest of that cost reporting period. ‎

Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Provisions: ‎CMS finalized all of the proposed changes related to quality measures for the IRF QRP put forth in the proposed ‎rule. The following changes have been finalized for the IRF QRP:

  • Implementation of the New COVID-19 Vaccine for Patients: Data collection for the ‎‎“Percent of Patients/Residents Who Are Up-to-Date” will be placed on an updated IRF-‎Patient Assessment Instrument (PAI) and begin with discharges on or after October 1, 2024, for use in the FY 2026 IRF ‎QRP.‎
  • Update of the COVID-19 Vaccination Measure for Healthcare Personnel: CMS ‎finalized its proposed modification of the COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage among‎ ‎Healthcare Personnel (HCP COVID-19 Vaccine) measure‎ to include the CDC “up-to-‎date” consideration for reporting purposes. Data collection for this modification is to ‎begin October 1, 2023, for use in the FY 2025 IRF QRP.‎
  • Implementation of the New Discharge Function Score Measure: No new data ‎collection is required, but the calculations and reporting of this measure will begin with ‎discharges on or after October 1, 2023, for use in the FY 2025 IRF QRP.‎
  • Measure Removal: Three measures have been removed from the IRF QRP and will no ‎longer require the collection of certain data elements for discharges on or after October ‎‎1, 2023:‎
    • Application of Percent of Long-Term Care Hospital Patients with an Admission ‎and Discharge Functional Assessment and a Care Plan That Addresses Function;
    • IRF Functional Outcome Measure: Change in Self-Care Score for Medical ‎Rehabilitation Patients (CBE #2633)‎; and
    • IRF Functional Outcome Measure: Change in Mobility Score for Medical ‎Rehabilitation Patients (CBE #2634)‎.
  • New Public Reporting: CMS announced the start of public reporting for the following ‎measures:‎
    • Transfer of Health (TOH) Information to the Provider — Post-Acute Care (PAC) ‎Measure (TOH-Provider) beginning with September 2025 Care Compare refresh ‎‎(even though proposed rule and other language in final rule stated September ‎‎2024 Care Compare refresh)‎. CMS staff has been alerted to this discrepancy.
    • TOH Information to the Patient — PAC Measure (TOH-Patient) beginning with ‎September 2025 Care Compare refresh (even though proposed rule and other ‎language in final rule stated September 2024 Care Compare refresh)‎.
    • Discharge Function Score Measure — Beginning with the September 2024 Care ‎Compare refresh or as soon as technically feasible.‎
    • COVID-19 Vaccine: Percent of Patients/Residents Who Are Up-to-Date Measure — Beginning with the September 2025 Care Compare refresh or as soon as ‎technically feasible.‎

CMS also released a fact sheet on the final rule. The data files associated with the final rule, including the wage index tables, the rate setting data for each IRF, and the ‎final tables for case-mix groups, relative weights, and average lengths of stay are also available. Unless otherwise ‎noted above, the provisions in the final rule will take effect on October 1, 2023. ‎

Caregiver supporting sick elderly man in the wheelchair during stay in the hospice

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), announced the new Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. The purpose and goal of this model is to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, reduce strain on unpaid caregivers, and help people remain in their homes and communities through a package of care coordination and management, caregiver education and support, and respite services.

Through the GUIDE Model, CMS will test an alternative payment for participants who deliver key supportive services to people with dementia, including comprehensive, person-centered assessments and care plans, care coordination, and 24/7 access to a support line. Under the model, people with dementia and their caregivers will have access to a care navigator, who will help them access services and supports, including clinical services and non-clinical services such as meals and transportation through community-based organizations.

The GUIDE model supports President Biden’s Executive Order that directed HHS to develop a new health care payment and service delivery model focused on dementia care that would include family caregiver supports.

There is a web page that has been created specific to this care model that provides additional information, including a link to a webinar that will provide an overview of this care model scheduled for August 10, 2023:

CMS will release the application for GUIDE, a voluntary, nationwide model, in the fall of 2023. Prior to the application release, interested organizations are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent to CMS by September 15, 2023. The model will run for eight years beginning July 1, 2024.

If you are interested in receiving additional information, updates or have questions about the GUIDE model, please send an email to the GUIDE Model team’s inbox.

Deputy Secretary Ahrens announced that in response to public comments regarding proposed waiver amendments, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has adjusted the payment schedule for Recovery and Expansion incentives for CPS providers. This change has been submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval with the full waiver amendments. If approved, the following schedule will be implemented:

Additional updates Deputy Secretary Ahrens provided at the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee meeting can be found here.

On July 13, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that announces and solicits public comments on proposed policy changes for Medicare payments under the Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues, effective on or after January 1, 2024.

The calendar year (CY) 2024 PFS proposed rule is one of several proposed rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide strategy to create a more equitable health care system that results in better access to care, quality, affordability, and innovation.

The proposed modifications include several pertaining to telehealth policy in the Medicare program for 2024. One of the major takeaways from the proposed 2024 PFS is the clarification that certain telehealth flexibilities that were previously extended until 151 days after the end of the public health emergency (PHE) have now been extended until December 31, 2024, in accordance with amendments made by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. These extensions have been known since the CAA’s passage in December last year and has also been addressed in a series of fact sheets and FAQ documents.

However, there were also some new changes addressed in the 2024 PFS. For example, every year CMS will consider adding new services to their list of codes that are reimbursable via telehealth. While they did not decide to add any new codes on a permanent basis to the list (though many remain on the list temporarily through the end of 2024), they did propose to add a number of codes to Category 3 (CMS’ current temporary list), including certain codes for health and well-being coaching services. Additionally, CMS announced a proposed revision to their telehealth code classification process, moving from a Category 1, 2 and 3 classification system to a binary ‘permanent’ or ‘provisional’ classification in an attempt to simplify the process beginning in CY 2025. In order to make the steps for getting a code accepted for inclusion in either the permanent or provisional telehealth lists transparent, CMS proposes a five-step process that is detailed in the proposed 2024 PFS, which includes consideration of the evidence of clinical benefits.

A few additional changes proposed in the document are listed below:

  • The list of telehealth practitioners is amended to recognize marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as telehealth practitioners, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
  • CMS will pay for place of service (POS) 10 at the non-facility PFS rate, while 02 will be paid at the facility rate beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
  • Frequency limitation would be removed for subsequent inpatient visits through the duration of CY 2024.
  • Multiple clarifications are provided for billing both remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) and remote therapy monitoring (RTM) codes.
  • Direct supervision is allowed to include real-time audio video interactive telecommunication through Dec. 31, 2024 (including for FQHCs and RHCs). Direct supervision requirements are also addressed for occupational therapists in private practice (OTPP) and physical therapists in private practice (PTPP) for unenrolled physical and occupational therapists when providing remote RTM.

CMS will be accepting comments on their proposals until 5:00 pm EST on September 11, 2023, and RCPA will review the document and work with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in drafting recommendations. We welcome provider feedback and comments to be included and ask that you contact and share these with your RCPA Policy Director.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a revised Medicare Learning Network (MLN) fact sheet on telehealth services. A number of changes have been made due to the end of the public health emergency (PHE), including the following items:

  • Information on the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency as well as CY 2023 and telehealth policies.
  • Status of Ongoing Flexibilities:
    • Through December 31, 2024, all patients can get telehealth wherever they are located. They do not need to be at an originating site, and there are no geographic restrictions.
    • Through December 31, 2024, all providers who are eligible to bill Medicare for professional services can provide distant site telehealth.
    • For behavioral or mental health telehealth, you may use 2-way, interactive, audio-only technology. This is also part of the PA Telehealth Statute under Act 98.
  • Additional Resources Provided:
    • Chapter 12, Section 190 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual
    • Telehealth Policy Changes After the COVID-19 PHE
    • Tips for Telehealth Success
  • Added information on:
    • New G-codes. Starting January 1, 2023, you may voluntarily report the use of telehealth technology in providing home health (HH) services on HH payment claims. See MLN Matters Article MM12805 for more information.
    • Consent for care management and virtual communication services.

Providers are encouraged to review this document closely and bookmark it for future reference.

As RCPA continues its efforts to expand access via telehealth in Pennsylvania, we will be submitting comments on the new Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). RCPA will be sending out a communication on this in the coming days.

0 691

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a number of additional and updated documents related to the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) review choice demonstration (RCD). Included in these documents are:

  • An updated and revised Operational Guide — Clarifies key programmatic details regarding the different review choices and other facets of the demonstration.
  • Frequently Asked Questions Document — The FAQ focuses on major areas of confusion on the choice selection and submission processes, the Pre-Claim Review Track, and medical necessity determinations.
  • Transcript and Recording — From the June 27, 2023, special open-door forum on the IRF RCD.

Additional information about the IRF RCD can be found on the CMS IRF RCD web page.

0 729

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) conducted a special open door forum on June 27, 2023, that focused on the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF). Beginning August 21, 2023, the RCD will begin for IRF services in Alabama. CMS has shared that IRFs in Pennsylvania will be included in the next phase of the demonstration. For additional information, there is an RCD web page dedicated to this. The presentation from the June 27 special open door is also available.