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April 2022 COVID-19, FY 2023 Proposed Rules and Updates to CMS No Surprises Rule FAQs

Published on 

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

 | Billing 
 | Coding 
 | Medicare Coverage 
 | Outpatient Services 

COVID-19 Updates

March 30, 2022: New COVID.gov website Launched

The Biden Administration announced the launch of COVID.gov. (link), “a new one-stop shop website to help all people in the United States gain even better access to lifesaving tools like vaccines, tests, treatments, and masks, as well as get the latest updates on COVID-19 in their area.”

April 14, 2022: FDA Authorizes First COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Using Breath Samples

The FDA announced the issuance of an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first COVID-19 diagnostic test that detects chemical compounds in breath samples association with COVID-19 (link). The test is named the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer.

About the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer test:

  • Is authorized to be performed in environments where the patient specimen is both collected and analyzed, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, and mobile testing sites, using an instrument about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage.
  • Is authorized to be performed by a qualified, trained operator under the supervision of a healthcare provider licensed or authorized by state law to prescribe tests and can provide results in less than three minutes.
  • Is for people ages eighteen and older without symptoms or other epidemiological reasons to suspect COVID-19.
April 14, 2022: Update to Publication 100.04, Chapter 18 and Publication 100-02, Chapter 15, Section to Add Data Regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its Administration to Current Claims Processing Requirements and Other General Updates
CDC Call: Evaluating and Supporting Patients Presenting with Cognitive Symptoms Following COVID

The CDC will be holding a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call on May 5th. During this call, presenters will discuss post-COVID conditions (PCC), that are present four or more weeks after infection. Cognitive symptoms, often described as “brain fog,” are frequently reported following a patient’s COVID-19 illness. If you are interested but unable to attend the live call, you can go to the CDC webpage specific for this call (link), after May 5th to find the call materials.

Other Updates

March 30, 2022: FY 2023 Hospice Payment Rate Update – Proposed Rule

CMS announced, in a special edition MLN connects (link), the issuance of a proposed rule (CMS-1773-P) that would update hospice base payments and the aggregate cap amount for FY 2023. The comment period ends on May 31, 2022.

March 31, 2022: FY 2023 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities Proposed Rules

CMS announced, in a special edition MLN connects (link), the issuance of the Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities Proposed Rules. You will find links to a summary of key provisions for each proposed rule as well as the proposed rules in this edition of MLN connects. The comment period for both proposed rules end on May 31, 2022.

April 6, 2022: CMS Updates FAQ Document for Providers about the No Surprises Rules

CMS has updated this FAQ document (link) which contains information on frequently asked questions from provider and facilities regarding No Surprises rules, independent dispute resolution, and exceptions to the new rules and requirements.

April 18, 2022: CMS Issues Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Proposed Rule

In an MLN Connects Special Edition (link), CMS announced the issuance of the FY 2023 IPPS Proposed Rule. They are proposing a 3.2% increase in operating payment rates for acute care IPPS hospitals that successfully participate in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and are meaningful electronic health record users. You will find links to a complete press release, proposed payment fact sheet, maternal health and health equity measures fact sheet, White House statement on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity, and the proposed rule in the announcement. Comments on the proposed rule must be in by June 17, 2022.

Article Author: Beth Cobb, RN, BSN, ACM, CCDS
Beth Cobb, RN, BSN, ACM, CCDS, is the Manager of Clinical Analytics at Medical Management Plus, Inc. Beth has over twenty-five years of experience in healthcare including eleven years in Case Management at a large multi-facility health system. In her current position, Beth is a principle writer for MMP’s Wednesday@One weekly e-newsletter, an active member of our HIPAA Compliance Committee, MMP’s Education Department Program Director and co-developer of MMP’s proprietary Compliance Protection Assessment Tool.

This material was compiled to share information.  MMP, Inc. is not offering legal advice. Every reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and useful.