Online resource packed with regulatory news and expert guidance, tips & tools pertinent to professionals across the post-acute care continuum.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is taking comments through Jan. 25, 2022, on approaches to prevent stress and improve the mental health and well-being of health workers. Information provided, including narrative evidence, data, or anecdotes, will support nation-wide efforts to raise awareness of mental health concerns, identify best practices to prevent and […]
While a file rule is still expected in the future, OSHA announced Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, that it has withdrawn the non-recordkeeping portions of the health care emergency temporary standard (ETS). The COVID-19 log and reporting provisions remain in effect. “These provisions were adopted under a separate provision of the OSH Act, section 8, and […]
CMS is raising awareness of the Hospice Benefit Component of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model. As noted in the MLN Connects for Dec. 23, 2021, when a Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollee elects hospice, Fee-for-Service Medicare becomes responsible for covering and paying for most services, while the MA plan remains responsible for certain services like […]
With the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for isolation and quarantine for healthcare workers on Dec. 23, 2021. The move decreases isolation time after infection with COVID-19. Additionally, CDC is releasing an update to guidance for contingency and crisis […]
The home health Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) are reminding providers that RAPs, formerly a request for anticipated payment, should not be submitted for periods of care that begin on or after Jan. 1, 2022. New admissions or patients continuing care in 2022 require a one-time Notice of Admission (NOA). From the MACs: “Until the January […]
Workers who contract COVID-19 can be protected from discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to new Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance, issued on December 14, 2021. Depending on each worker’s circumstances, the virus can cause afflictions that meet one of the ADA’s three definitions for a “disability,” which cover (1) actual, […]
People with Medicare should get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, says CMS officials in a news release Dec. 2, 2021. CMS noted it is sending a letter to Medicare beneficiaries encouraging them to get a booster shot as soon as possible. They’re also rolling out reminders through advertising campaigns and telephone and email […]
CMS delayed implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) until Jan. 10, 2022, according to the latest MLN Connects newsletter. PECOS will use the same multi-factor method as the Identity & Access Management System (I&A). Users who have set up MFA in I&A won’t need to do additional setup […]
The Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire Inc. (VNH) will pay nearly $2.4 million to address an issue with orders that weren’t signed in line with requirements at the time, according to the Office of Inspector General. After self-disclosing the issue to the OIG, VNH agreed to pay $2,389,706.26 for allegedly […]
CMS is reminding providers that Medicare covers skilled nursing care and skilled therapy services under the home health benefit when a beneficiary needs skilled care to maintain function or to prevent or slow decline. The reminder was included in the weekly MLN Connects newsletter on Dec. 2, 2021. To qualify for skilled care, the beneficiary […]