CMS Guidance on Survey Activity Prioritization – COVID-19
On March 23, 2020, CMS Memo QSO-20-20-All summarized the prioritization of survey activities for long-term care facilities (nursing homes), hospitals, home health agencies, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and hospices. A...
COVID-19 Telehealth Toolkits for General Practitioners and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Providers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two comprehensive toolkits on telehealth that are specific to general practitioners as well as providers treating patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). CMS has broadened access to Medicare...
CMS Announces Data Reporting Exceptions and Extensions for Healthcare Facilities and Clinicians
March 22, 2020 – In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today it is granting a range of data reporting exceptions and extensions across its quality reporting and value-based...
COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage Expansion Benefits Medicare Beneficiaries
Medicare beneficiaries will have access to a wider range of health services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency as the result of expanded telehealth coverage. The Trump Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the...
Resources for COVID-19 Information and Guidance Updates
The CDC, CMS, and State Departments of Health are responding to cases of COVID-19 across the United States. This is a rapidly evolving situation and new information and guidance to healthcare facilities is being updated on a daily basis. In addition to your State...
COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Healthcare Professionals
March 5, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued three new Quality, Safety and Oversight memos about COVID-19 – two apply to nursing homes and a third to hospitals that are listed below. We strongly encourage you to review....
CMS Announces Actions to Address Spread of Coronavirus
March 4, 2020 – CMS calls on all healthcare providers to activate infection control practices and issues guidance to inspectors as they inspect facilities affected by Coronavirus Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing several...
New Toolkits Available to Ensure Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two toolkits to help with safety and quality in nursing homes. Developing a Restful Environment Action Manual (DREAM) Toolkit – Consists of several component, including a nurse handbook, leadership...
Acupuncture Covered for Chronic Low Back Pain for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized a decision to cover acupuncture for Medicare patients with chronic low back pain. Before this final National Coverage Determination (NCD) reconsideration, acupuncture was nationally non-covered...
Announcement: CMS Quality Award
Great Plains Quality Innovation Network Selected as a Recipient of QIN-QIO Task Order I Award under the 12th Statement of Work On November, 8, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded a five-year contract to Great Plains Quality Innovation...