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March 2024 Medicare Coverage and Compliance Updates
Published on Mar 27, 2024
20240327
 | Coding 

Coverage Updates

 

February 29, 2024: Solid Organ Transplant Rejection Billing & Coding Articles Updated

CMS published an announcement indicating that the MACs have provided updated Solid Organ Transplant Rejection billing and coding articles. CMS notes “these updates restore the table of solid organ allograft rejection tests, as requested by interested parties, and removes the explanatory language that may have confused physicians and patients. The March 2023 articles have been removed and the new articles can be found on the Medicare Coverage Database

 

Full CMS statement: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-statement-current-status-blood-tests-organ-transplant-rejection-0

 

March 6, 2024: CMS National Coverage Determination (NCD) Dashboard

CMS updated this document on February 15, 2024 and notes that they prioritize “NCD requests based on the magnitude of the potential impact on Medicare program and beneficiaries. As of February 15th, there are seven topics on the NCD Wait List, two Open NCDs, and 3 NCDs have been finalized in the past 12 months. Links to all NCDs are included in this document. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/ncd-dashboard.pdf

 

March 6, 2024: Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem cell Transplantation (HSCT) for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Final Decision Memo

CMS has published a final decision memo and has finalized the proposed HSCT for MDS using bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell products and is adding coverage to the final NCD to include the use of umbilical cord blood stem cell products. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncacal-decision-memo.aspx?proposed=N&NCAId=312

 

 

Compliance Education Updates

 

March 7, 2024: Provider Compliance Fast Facts: Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) Services: Prevent Claim Denials

CMS notes that the CORF Services improper payment rate in 2022 was 89.7% and advises you to review the CORF services provider compliance tip for information on requirements for claim payment, documentation requirements and example of improper payment, and links to additional resources. https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnproducts/fast-facts/comprehensive-outpatient-rehabilitation-facility-services-prevent-claim-denials

 

March 11, 2024: Updated CERT A/B MAC Outreach & Education Task Force PowerPoint

The goal of the A/B MAC Outreach & Education Task Force is to ensure consistent communication and education to reduce the Medicare Part A and Part B error rates. The Task Force PowerPoint presentation was updated on March 11th.  In this six-slide presentation, the Task Force includes links to their most popular educational products and answers three questions:

  • How are we reducing improper Medicare payments?
  • How are the MACs and the CERT contractor different?
  • What’s my MAC’s role in a CERT review?

 

CMS Resource: Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans

This CMS booklet tells you about how Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are different from original Medicare, how MA plans work, and how you can join a MA Plan. https://www.medicare.gov/publications/12026-Understanding-Medicare-Advantage-Plans.pdf

Beth Cobb

March 2024 Healthcare Potpourri
Published on Mar 27, 2024
20240327

March 1, 2024: CDC Updates Respiratory Virus Guidance

The CDC notes that respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States every year. This new guidance “provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV. A downloadable infographic highlights five core prevention strategies (immunizations, hygiene, steps for cleaner air, treatment, and stay home and prevent spread).

 

March 5, 2024: HHS Statement Regarding the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare

HHS announced immediate steps being taken by CMS to assist providers. You can read their full statement at https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/03/05/hhs-statement-regarding-the-cyberattack-on-change-healthcare.html.

 

March 11, 2024: OIG’s FY 2024 Justification of Estimates for Congress

The OIG published their FY 2025 budget requests to provide oversight of HHS programs. The OIG “is responsible for overseeing more than $2 trillion in HHS spending and more than 100 different programs that provide critical services for hundreds of millions of individuals. With just 2 cents to oversee every $100 spent by HHS, HHS OIG must target its resources to maximize the impact of oversight and enforcement work.” They are requesting a total of $499.7 million to provide oversight of HHS programs. This is a $67.2 million increase from FY 2023. https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/budget/9814/FY%202025%20OIG%20Budget.pdf

 

March 14, 2024: Health Related Social Needs FAQ Document

In the Thursday, March 21, 2024, edition of MLN Connects, CMS announced that they have published a Health-Related Social Needs FAQ document about four services in the CY 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (Caregiver Training, Social Determinants of Health Risk Assessment, Community Health Integration, and Principal Illness Navigation).

 

For example, “are there limits on how often I can bill for SDOH risk assessment? Yes, in the CY 2024 PFS Final Rule, we established a limitation on payment for the SDOH risk assessment service of once every 6 months per practitioner per beneficiary.” https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-schedules/physician/care-management

 

March 21, 2024: New Video: HHS-OIG’s Perspective on Managed Care

In this just over four-minute video, the OIG advised notes that “Managed care is health care delivery model and an alternative way for Medicare and Medicaid patients to receive their health care benefits,” details potential risks and concerns with managed care and provide information on how patients can protect themselves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQEPszbprwY

 

In addition to this new video, on March 18th, the OIG published their first Impact Brief highlighting the impact the OIG’s work has on HHS programs. This first impact brief addresses Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization issues, outlines specific concerns, and demonstrates the agency’s progress to address those concerns. https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/impact-briefs/9820/Medicare%20Advantage%20Prior%20Authorization%20Impact%20Brief.pdf

 

March 22, 2024: March ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting Update

CMS sent a notice letting providers know that the meeting materials for the March 19th and 20th meeting are now available at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes/icd-10-coordination-maintenance-committee-materials.

 

March 2024: CMS Fast Facts Updated

CMS Fast Facts provides summary information on total program enrollment, utilization, expenditures, and the total number of Medicare providers including physicians by specialty area. This information is refreshed twice a year and was most recently refreshed this month. https://data.cms.gov/fact-sheet/cms-fast-facts

Beth Cobb

March 2024 Medicare Transmittals and MLN Articles
Published on Mar 27, 2024
20240327
 | Billing 
 | Coding 

March 4, 2024: MLN MM13449: Stay of Enrollment

Make sure your staff knows about a new provider enrollment status called a stay of enrollment and updates to the Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 10. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mm13449-stay-enrollment.pdf

 

March 7, 2024: MLN MM13546: New Waived Tests

Make sure your billing staff is aware of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) requirements, new CLIA-waived tests approved by the FDA, and use of modifier QW for CLIA-waived tests. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mm13546-new-waived-tests.pdf

 

March 14, 2024: MLN MM13548: Medicare Claims Processing Manual Updates – HCPCS Billing Codes & Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage Requirements

Make sure your staff knows the HCPCS codes to bill and what CPT codes to not bill for an initial preventive physical exam (IPPE) and annual wellness visit (AWV) services. CMS also includes information about providing a patient an Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) in this article. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-claims-processing-manual-updates-hcpcs-billing-codes-advance-beneficiary-notice-non.pdf

 

March 18, 2024: MLN MM13554: Changes to the Laboratory National Coverage Determination Edit Software: July 2024 Update

Make sure your billing staff knows about newly available codes, recent coding changes, and how to find NCD coding information. Relevant laboratory NCD coding with changes July 2024 includes NCD 190.18 (Serum Iron Studies), 190.21B (Glycated Hemoglobin/Glycated Protein), and 190.31 (Prostate Specific Antigen). https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mm13554-changes-laboratory-national-coverage-determination-edit-software-july-2024-update.pdf

 

March 21, 2024: Transmittal R12552CP: April 2024 Update of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)

This Recurring Update Notification (RUN) provides instructions on coding changes and policy updates that are effective April 1, 2024, for the Hospital OPPS. Updates include coding and policy changes for new services, pass-through drug, and devices, eleven new Proprietary Lab Analysis (PLA) codes and other items and services, for example payment for intensive cardiac rehabilitation services (ICR) provided by an off-campus, non-excepted provider-based department (PBD) of a hospital.

 

In the CY 2024 OPPS/ASC final rule, CMS excluded ICR from the 40 percent Physician Fee Schedule Relativity Adjuster policy at the code level by modifying the claims processing of HCPCS codes G0422 (ICR; with or without continuous ECG monitoring with exercise, per session) and G0423 (ICR; with or without continuous ECG monitoring without exercise, per session). “Under this change 100 percent of the OPPS rate for ICR is paid irrespective of the presence of the PN modifier on the claim…please not that claims for HCPCS A0422 and G0433 submitted with the PN modifier from January to April 2024 were paid at the 40 percent rate. However, upon the April IOCE release, an additional amount will be retroactively applied to these past claims so that they are paid at 100 percent of the OPPS rate.” https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r12552cp.pdf

Beth Cobb

April 2024 MedCAT Minute: Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation
Published on Mar 20, 2024
20240320

MMP’s Medicare Compliance Assessment Tool (MedCAT) combines current Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) review targets (i.e., MAC, RAC, SMRC) with hospital specific Medicare FFS paid claims data made possible through a collaboration with RealTime Medicare Data (RTMD).

 

In general, MedCAT Minute articles spotlight current contractor review activities. The focus of this article is RAC Issue 0210: Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HNS) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

 

Background

For patients with OSA who are unable to tolerate CPAP, HNS is one available alternative treatment strategy. The American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) (2016) position statement indicates that “The AAO considers upper airway stimulation (UAS) via the hypoglossal nerve for the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome to be an effective second-line treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in patients who are intolerant or unable to achieve benefit with positive pressure therapy (PAP). Not all adult patients are candidates for UAS therapy and appropriate polysomnographic, age, BMI and objective upper airway evaluation measures are required for proper patient selection.” ¹

 

Medicare Coverage Guidance

In 2020, each Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) published a Local Coverage Determination (LCD) and related Billing and Coding Article (LCA) for HNS. In general, coverage guidance in each of the LCD’s includes the following statements:

 

“Notice: It is not appropriate to bill Medicare for services that are not covered (as described by this entire LCD) as if they are covered. When billing for non-covered services, use the appropriate modifier.

 

Compliance with the provisions in this policy may be monitored and addressed through post payment data analysis and subsequent medical review audits.”

 

In several of the MAC’s Response to Comments Articles, commenters requested that CPAP refusal or non-acceptance should be included with CPAP failure or intolerance as criteria. The refusal/non-acceptance should be clearly documented along with conversations of the benefits of CPAP and the limitations of HNS.

 

In each instance, the MAC responded to this request by noting that failure of conservative therapy should be tried and failed and or not tolerated prior to a surgical approach and no change was made to the LCD.

 

RAC Issue 0210: Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Medical Necessity and Documentation Requirements

RAC Issue 0210 was approved for review by CMS on June 7, 2022.

  • Review Type: Complex
  • Provider Type: Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, and Professional Services
  • Issue Description: Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HNS) is reasonable and necessary for the treatment of moderate to severe OSA when coverage criteria are met. Documentation will be reviewed to determine if HNS meets Medicare coverage criteria, applicable coding guidelines, and/or are medically reasonable and necessary.
  • Affected Code: CPT 64582
    • Note: This CPT code was effective on January 1, 2022.
  • Applicable Policy References: The related National Coverage Determination (NCD) 2401.4.1 Sleep Testing for OSA and each of the MACs LCD and related Billing and Coding Articles are included in this section of the RAC Issue.

 

By July 1, 2022, all RACs had added this issue to their list of issues that they would review for all three listed provider types.

 

Meeting Medical Necessity and Documentation Gaps

Palmetto GBA, the Jurisdiction J MAC, has published an article highlighting requirements to meet criteria for HNS and indications when HNS would not be reasonable and necessary.

Beth Cobb

New March 2024 OIG Work Plan Item: Sepsis
Published on Mar 20, 2024
20240320

On Friday, March 15, 2024, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) updated their Work Plan with eight new items. One item that hospitals will want to follow is related to hospital billing for sepsis.

 

OIG Work Plan Item (OEI-02-24-00230): Medicare Inpatient Hospital Billing for Sepsis

“Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to infection. It is a life-threatening, emergency medical issue that often progresses quickly and responds best to early intervention. The definition of and guidance for sepsis have changed over the years in attempts to identify it more accurately. The definition of sepsis was updated in 2016 by an international task force to better differentiate sepsis from a general infection. This narrower definition is widely recognized by groups such as the World Health Organization. However, CMS and CDC currently recognize an older, broader definition. Sepsis is a frequently billed diagnosis in Medicare. There are concerns that hospitals may be taking advantage of this broader definition, as they have a financial incentive to do so. This study will analyze Medicare claims to assess patterns in the inpatient hospital billing of sepsis in 2023 and describe how billing of sepsis varied among hospitals. We will also estimate the costs to Medicare associated with using the broader, rather than the narrower, definition of sepsis.” The OIG’s expected report issue date is in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

 

Sepsis, Not a New Target

 

OIG and Sepsis

This is not the first time that the OIG has had sepsis MS-DRG’s in their crosshairs. For example, sepsis was mentioned in the February 2021 OIG Report: Trend Toward More Expensive Inpatient Hospitals Stays Emerged Before COVID-19 and Warrant’s further Scrutiny.

 

In their report results, the OIG indicated that “the most frequently billed MS-DRG in FY 2019 was septicemia or severe sepsis with a major complication (MS-DRG 871). Hospitals billed for 581,000 of these stays, for which Medicare paid $7.4 billion.”

 

The following data compares Medicare Fee-for-Service paid claims data by calendar year from pre-COVID 2019 to after then end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) in May 2023.

 

MS-DRG 871 Medicare Fee-for-Service Paid Claims Data Trend

 

Calendar Year 2019

Claims Volume: 620,927

Claims Payment: $7.992,972,329

 

Calendar Year 2020

Claims Volume: 611,140

Claims Payment: $8,481,178,934

 

Calendar Year 2021

Claims Volume: 556,680

Claims Payment: $8,152,439,134

 

Calendar Year 2022

Claims Volume: 566,387

Claims Payment: $8,392,707,197

 

Calendar Year (January 1 – September 30, 2023) Annualized

Claims Volume: 546,496

Claims Payment: $8,238,024,702

 

The data shows that claims volume and payment has declined since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, when you annualize calendar year 2023 claims data (January 1 through September 30, 2023), Medicare payment for sepsis continues to be immense at just over $8.2 billion for one MS-DRG. This data was provided by our sister company, RealTime Medicare Data (RTMD).

Beth Cobb

Year 2 HWDRG Validation Reviews
Published on Mar 13, 2024
20240313

Did You Know?

In the February 2024 edition of The Livanta Claims Review Advisor, Livanta reported findings from their second year of higher-weighted diagnosis related groups (HWDRG) validation reviews completed from November 1, 2022 through October 31, 2023. They note in the newsletter that these types of reviews “involve validation of codes on the claim by credentialed coding auditors and clinical review by board-certified practicing physicians as appropriate.”

 

Coding auditors utilize official coding guidelines, the American Hospital Association (AHA) Coding Clinics, and other authoritative coding references to complete their DRG validation reviews.  

 

Why It Matters?

When a hospital submits a record for a HWDRG, the review may also include a review to determine if the documentation also supported the medical necessity of an inpatient admission. The following table highlights a compare of Livanta’s Year One and Year Two review results.

 

Overall Findings

Year 1

Year 2

Number

Percent

Number

Percent

Approved

47,615

88%

50,928

88%

DRG Changes

6,550

12%

6,603

11%

Admission Denials (Medical Necessity Errors)

86

<1%

619

1%

Total Claims Reviewed

54,251

100%

58,150

100%


Beth Cobb

March 2024 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Published on Mar 06, 2024
20240306

Did You Know?

According to the American Cancer Society, there has been a rise in colorectal diagnoses among people 50 and younger. “In the late 1990s, colorectal cancer was the fourth leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in this age group, and now, it is the first cause of cancer death in men younger than 50 and the second cause in women that age.”

 

In May 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force changed its colorectal cancer screening recommendation. They lowered the age at which adults at average risk of getting colorectal cancer begin screening from 50 to 45.

 

Why it Matters?

Effective January 1, 2023, CMS lowered the minimum age for colorectal screening (CRC) from age 50 to 45 for certain tests.

 

MLN Matters article MM13017, Removal of a National Coverage Determination and & Expansion of Coverage of Colorectal (CRC) Screening includes:

  • A list of the specific screening tests where the minimum age has decreased from 50 to 45 years and older, and
  • An expanded definition of CRC screening tests and new billing instructions for colonoscopies under certain scenarios.

 

Also, National Coverage Determination (NCD 210.3) Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests was revised to reflect the decrease in minimum age for each of the covered indications listed in this policy.

 

What Can You Do?

As a healthcare provider, be aware of the changes in Medicare’s colorectal screening coverage. Use the Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests information available in MLN Educational Tool Medicare Preventive Services to identify:

  • Applicable HCPCS, CPT and ICD-10 Codes,
  • The specific screening tests that Medicare Covers,
  • The frequency for performing these screening tests for patients not meeting high-risk criteria as well as patients at high-risk,
  • What the patient pays, and
  • Other notes (i.e., CMS pays for anesthesia services provided in conjunction with, and in support of, a screening colonoscopy reported with CPT code 00812.)

 

As a healthcare consumer, I encourage everyone to talk with your doctor about your risk(s) for colorectal cancer and the need for screening tests.

 

References

American Cancer Society article: 2024 – First Year the US Expects More than 2M New Cases of Cancer: https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/facts-and-figures-2024.html

 

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force May 18, 2021 Final Recommendation Statement for colorectal cancer screening: https://uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening

 

MLN MM13017: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mm13017-removal-national-coverage-determination-expansion-coverage-colorectal-cancer-screening.pdf

 

MLN Educational tool Medicare Preventive Services: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prevention/PrevntionGenInfo/medicare-preventive-services/MPS-QuickReferenceChart-1.html#COLO_CAN

Beth Cobb

Q&A: Coding Congenital Conditions in Adults
Published on Mar 06, 2024
20240306
 | Coding 

Question

What if a provider documents arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the stomach and the patient is 87 years old?  How should this be coded?

 

Answer

Sometimes, a provider documents a condition, and the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index leads the coder to assign a congenital condition.  In this case, it’s AVM of the stomach.

 

Anomaly

     Arteriovenous NEC

          Gastrointestinal Q27.33

 

Since the patient is older, look for documentation that states the condition is congenital, inherited, or the patient has had the condition since birth, or other similar terms.  If there is no documentation of the condition being congenital, query the provider for clarification.  If he/she documents that the condition developed later in life, refer to the term ‘acquired’ in the index and follow the instruction.  Acquired AVM of the stomach is coded to angiodysplasia of stomach and duodenum without bleeding (K31.819).

 

 Anomaly

     Arteriovenous NEC

          Gastrointestinal Q27.33

               Acquiredsee Angiodysplasia

 

Angiodysplasia

     Stomach (and duodenum) K31.819

 

References

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index

ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines

 

Susie James

February 2024 Medicare Coverage and Compliance Updates
Published on Feb 28, 2024
20240228

Coverage Updates

 

February 6, 2024: FAQs Related to Coverage Criteria & Utilization Management Requirements for MA Plans

CMS sent a FAQ document to all Medicare Advantage Organizations and Medicare-Medicaid Plans related to Coverage Criteria and Utilization Management Requirements in the CMS Final Rule (CMS-4201-F) issued on April 5, 2023. They note since this rule has been issued, they have received questions regarding application of the rules. This document is meant to provide clarification about how CMS expects MA plans to comply with the new rules. https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2024/02/faqs-related-to-coverage-criteria-and-utilization-management-requirements-in-cms-final-rule-cms-4201-f.pdf

 

Compliance Education Updates

 

January 2024: MLN Booklet: Health Equity Services in the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (MLN9201074)

CMS framework on health equity lists 5 priorities for reducing disparities in health. The 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule has 4 services to help address these priorities including:

  • Caregiver Training Services (CTS),
  • Social Determinants of Health Risk (SDOH) Assessment,
  • Community Health Integration (CHI), and
  • Principal Illness Navigation (PIN).

This MLN booklet reviews all four services including who can provide the service and documentation and billing guidance.

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln9201074-health-equity-services-2024-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule.pdf-0

 

January 2024: MLN Booklet: Federally Qualified Health Center (MLN006397)

CMS has added information about marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors or practitioners, added services, updates to mental health in-person visit rules, and COVID-19 and other vaccine billing instructions to this MLN booklet. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln006397-federally-qualified-health-center.pdf

 

February 2024: MLN Booklet: Information for Rural Health Clinics (MLN006398)

CMS has made additions to this booklet, for example information about marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as practitioners and social determinants of health has been added. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln006398-information-rural-health-clinics.pdf

 

February 2024: MLN Fact Sheet: Telehealth Services (MLN901705)

Changes made to this MLN product includes adding new CPT and HCPCS codes for CY 2024, adding new and expanded telehealth services, information about extended use of modifier 95 and the CY 2024 originating site facility fee amount which is $29.96. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln901705-telehealth-services.pdf

 

February 2024: MLN Fact Sheet: Proper Use of Modifiers 59, XI, XP, XS, & XU (MLN1783722)

This CMS Fact Sheet has been updated to include information on the use of modifier 59 and a single Rural Health Clinic (RHC) or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln1783722-proper-use-modifiers-59-xe-xp-xs-and-xu.pdf

Beth Cobb

February 2024 Medicare Potpourri
Published on Feb 28, 2024
20240228

January 17, 2024: Acute Care Hospitals Required to join Joint Commission NHSN Group

Effective July 1, 2024, acute care hospitals with ORYX® performance measurement requirements and that are required through a CMS program to participate in the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system will be required to join the Joint Commission NHSN Group.

 

The Joint Commission indicated in their announcement that “In April 2024 The Joint Commission will e-mail the primary accreditation contact on file for the organization to determine the appropriate contact person to correspond with regarding the Joint Commission NHSN Group. After the contract has been identified, detailed instructions for joining the Group will be provided, and onboarding will take place May through June 2024.”

 

February 1, 2024: April 1, 2024 ICD-10-CM Updates

CMS notes the ICD-10-CM April 1, 2024 update addresses typographical errors and there are no new diagnosis codes being implemented. You will find downloads for discharges on and after April 1, 2024 on the 2024 ICD-10-CM webpage including an update ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting that includes a few updates, for example on page 29 of this document a new subsection (f) Screening for COVID-19 has been added which provides the following guidance “for screening for COVID-19, including preoperative testing, assign code Z11.52, Encounter for screening for COVID-19.”

 

February 7, 2024: New Steps to Transform the Organ Transplant System

HHS issued a Press Release announcing that the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) “is taking historic steps as part of its Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Modernization Initiative, leveraging new legal authority…signed into law as part of the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act in September 2023.  HRSA actions include:  

  • Releasing a contract solicitation to break up the OPTN monopoly and create an independent OPTN Board of Directors,
  • Issuing a multi-vendor contract solicitation to support broad competition and best-in-class vendors for critical OPTN functions,
  • Launching the discovery and development phase of the transition to a modernized OPTN IT matching system, and
  • Taking action to address “pre-waitlist” inequities in the organ waitlist process and reduce variations in referrals to transplant and in organ procurement practices.

 

February 8, 2024: CMS Reminds Providers about the Jimmo Settlement Agreement

CMS reminded providers in the Thursday, February 8, 2024 edition MLN Connects that “Medicare covers skilled nursing care and skilled therapy services under skilled nursing facility, home health, and outpatient therapy benefits when a beneficiary needs skilled care to maintain function or to prevent or slow decline, as long as:

  • The beneficiary requires skilled care for the services to be provided safely and effectively.
  • An individualized assessment of the patient's condition demonstrates that the specialized judgment, knowledge, and skills of a qualified therapist are needed for a safe and effective maintenance program.

Note, on February 13, 2024, CMS sent a letter to all Medicare Advantage Organizations reminding them about the Jimmo Settlement Coverage and Training Policies. https://leadingage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HPMS-Memo_-Jimmo-Settlement_508.pdf

 

February 8, 2024: Accrediting Organization (AO) Proposed Rule

CMS published a proposed rule and related Fact Sheet noting that “CMS’s annual AO oversight Reports to Congress (RTCs) highlight the agency’s significant concerns regarding AO performance that need to be addressed.Comments can be submitted until April 15, 2024.

 

February 8, 2024: Texting of Patient Information and Orders for Hospitals and CAHs Memorandum

This memorandum updates CMS’ current policy for texting patient orders based on current practice and stakeholder feedback. Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) will now have the flexibility to include text orders, via a secure platform, to be entered into the patient’s medical record or EHR in a manner compliant with the medical record Conditions of Participation (CoPs). https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-24-05-hospital-cah.pdf

Beth Cobb

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