Category: CMS

On November 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2019.

Reliant’s Real Time Memo, which summarizes the final rule, can be downloaded here. The following is included in the summary:

• Conversion factor update
• Discontinuation of functional status reporting (G-code) requirements for outpatient
• Update on outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy services furnished by assistants
• KX modifier attestation amount
• Medicare telehealth services update

Payment provisions

CMS provided a revised MLN Matters article addressing providers in the states of Florida and Georgia who were affected by Hurricane Michael. Read full article here .
The Department of Health and Human Services provides healthcare emergency preparedness information via the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) website .

CMS is providing updated rankings for all SNFs included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 VBP program year.

A list of each SNF’s incentive payment multiplier and updated ranking can be found on the SNF VBP website . The incentive payment multiplier applicable to each SNF is unchanged from the multiplier that CMS previously included in the SNF’s FY 2019 Annual Performance Score Report.That multiplier will be used to adjust the federal per diem rate otherwise applicable to the SNF for services furnished from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019. 

On September 20, 2018 CMS released a proposed rule titled “Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction”. AHCA notes this proposed rule impacts regulations for 12 different types of healthcare providers and suppliers impacted by CMS requirements for emergency preparedness and hospice.

Comments are open through November 19, 2018. View proposed rule here.