Online resource packed with regulatory news and expert guidance, tips & tools pertinent to professionals across the post-acute care continuum.
Changes to emergency preparedness requirements are now in effect, and several of those changes apply to both home health and hospice. A final rule designed to reduce burden took effect Nov. 29, 2019, and includes the following changes to emergency preparedness requirements: Removed a requirement to document efforts to contact local, tribal, regional, state and […]
When 46 Fire raged toward Riverside Heights Healthcare Center in Jurupa Valley, CA. October 30th, staff had just 15 minutes to evacuate more than five dozen residents, many whom were confined to beds and wheelchairs. Within those 15 minutes, staff gathered all residents of the 70-bed facility into a common room, dialed 911 for assistance, […]
CMS has issued blanket waivers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. The blanket waiver applies to home health agencies and is designed to provided relief on OASIS transmission timelines. To ensure accurate processing of home health disaster-related claims, Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) can extend autocancellation dates of Requests for Anticipated Payment (RAPs), CMS states. Related links: […]
When a hurricane strikes, SNFs, along with the rest of the population in coastal regions, are often issued mandatory evacuations. In 2012, researchers at PBS studied the effects evacuations had on SNF and nursing home residents in the weeks after hurricanes. In the study, To Evacuate or Shelter in Place: Implications of Universal Hurricane Evacuation […]
As of September 2, nearly 100 nursing homes and SNFs have evacuated on the eastern coast of Florida. But while Governor Brian Kemp has issued a mandatory evacuation for 21 counties on the Georgia, coast, about half of SNFs and nursing homes in the area have decided to shelter-in-place, according to the Georgia Department of […]
Home health agencies and other facilities only would need to review their emergency preparedness programs every two years if a proposal from CMS is finalized. CMS’ proposed rule, “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction,” was included in the Sept. 20 Federal Register. The federal Medicare agency is […]
Consider using an assessment tool to identify clients who would be in greatest need of assistance during emergencies. Doing this kind of preparatory work will help your agency better protect clients in the event disaster strikes in your area. About 4 a.m. Oct. 9, with a massive wildfire raging, employees with At Your Service Home […]
by: A.J. Plunkett The following is an excerpt from Home Health Line. If your agency is part of a health care system, there are many benefits to choosing to work with the umbrella organization as you attempt to comply with CMS’ new emergency preparedness requirements. Even if your agency has a separate Medicare certification […]
This post is an excerpt taken from HCPro’s new title, Disaster Planning, Infection Control, and OSHA Compliance: A Toolkit for Senior Living, a cost-effective, all-inclusive guide to improve safety and satisfaction in your senior living facility. Fire drills should be done based on your state regulations and/or your facility’s policy and procedures. Staff must be […]
On September 1, CMS announced in a memo the release of the emergency preparedness (EP) online training course for surveyors, who will begin surveying for requirements on November 15, 2017. All surveyors are required to take this course; newly hired surveyors will take the course during their State Survey Agency orientation; and providers are encouraged […]