Programs

Regulatory Updates

Total of 165 Records Returned

State: All

CMS Revises State Operations Manual – Chapter 10

Date Posted : 05/3/2024

Program: Home Health, Hospice

On May 3, 2024, CMS released a memo, QSO-24-11-HHA & Hospice, updating the State Operations Manual (SOM) Chapter 10 - Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and Enforcement Procedures for Home Health Agencies and Hospice Programs.  This chapter outlines the IDR process for State Agencies and outlines potential remedies and sanctions for non-compliance.  All Home Health Agencies and Hospice providers should familiarize themselves with this chapter.  CMS outlines specific instances when a HHA or Hospice, deemed by an Accreditation Organization, may fall back under the authority of the State Agency and may face remedies or sanctions for non-compliance.

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State: New Jersey

New Jersey Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights Act Effective July 1, 2024

Date Effective : 07/1/2024

Program: Home Care

The New Jersey legislature approved the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights Act January 12, 2024.  This act will be effective July 1, 2024.  Healthcare Service Firms are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Act.  The Act addresses employment rights and protections including, but not limited to, minimum wages and overtime pay; written contracts between domestic workers and employers; meal/break times; hours worked; termination of the contract.

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State: All

Hospital Beds & Accessories: Prevent Claim Denials

Date Posted : 06/13/2024

Program: Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies, Pharmacy

In 2022, the improper payment rate for hospital beds and accessories was 22.7%, with a projected improper payment amount of $14.5 million (see 2022 Medicare Fee-for-Service Supplemental Improper Payment Data (PDF), Tables G2 and K4). Learn how to bill correctly. Review the hospital beds and accessories provider compliance tip for more information, including:

  • Coverage requirements:
    • Variable height feature
    • Electric powered hospital bed adjustments
    • Side rails
  • Documentation requirements
  • Resources

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State: All

CLIA Certificate Fee Schedule

Date Posted : 06/4/2024

Program: Clinical Laboratory

The new version of the CLIA Certificate Fee Schedule has been posted on the CLIA web page under “How to Apply for a CLIA Certificate, Including International Laboratories.” Changes we would like to highlight are the addition of fees for replacement and revised certificates, average survey fees for Certificate of Compliance (CoC) and Certificate of Accreditation (CoA) laboratories, and a note on how the onsite follow-up surveys (including those for the addition of specialties), substantiated complaint surveys, and unsuccessful Proficiency Testing (PT) desk reviews are calculated. Please continue to advocate for laboratories to opt-in to electronic notifications and move CLIA to a paperless environment. By participating, these laboratories will receive a link to their CLIA certificate, where they can print, as needed, a hard copy.

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State: California

California ALF – Hot Summer Weather Advisory

Date Posted : 06/3/2024

Program: Home Care, Home Health, Home Infusion Therapy, Hospice

​All Facilities Letter Summary

  • This AFL reminds health care facilities to implement recommended precautionary measures to keep individuals safe and comfortable during extremely hot weather.
  • Facilities must have contingency plans in place to deal with the loss of air conditioning, or in the case when no air conditioning is available, take measures to ensure patients and residents are free of adverse conditions that may cause heat-related health complications.
  • Facilities must report extreme heat conditions that compromise patient health and safety and/or require an evacuation, transfer, or discharge of patients.

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State: All

State Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix M – Hospice Update 5-28-2024

Date Posted : 05/28/2024

Program: Hospice

On May 28, 2024, CMS issued memo QSO-24-12-Hospice & FQHC/RHC.  This memo includes an advance copy of updates to the State Operations Manual for Hospice.  This memo includes the addition of two new L tags related to the recent addition of the Marriage & Family Therapist and/or Mental Health Counselor to the interdisciplinary team.

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