Federal Register DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 42 CFR Parts 418 and 484 Medicare Program; FY 2022 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, Hospice and Home Health Quality Reporting Program Requirements-This rule: Proposes updates to the hospice wage index, payment rates, […]
Texas Register TITLE 26. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PART 1. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION CHAPTER 500. COVID-19 EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE FACILITY LICENSING SUBCHAPTER A. HOSPITALS 26 TAC §500.1—HHSC is adopting an emergency rule to allow a currently licensed hospital to operate an off-site inpatient facility without obtaining a new license at: (1) another type of […]
RESEARCHERS EXAMINE THE ROLE OF SELF-COMPASSION IN CAREGIVERS AND PATIENTS For those working in and/or being served by hospice and palliative care, suffering is inevitable. Having the ability to offer compassion towards oneself is a resource, and helps to be certain “that needs are not neglected particularly during times of suffering. Self-compassion in hospice […]
Federal News and Information Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 Accelerated/Advance Payment Reminder Emails Providers and suppliers requesting and receiving COVID-19 Accelerated/Advance Payments (CAAPs) in 2020 will receive an email in the coming days reminding them that the recoup period is fast approaching. The emails are being issued to a provider or supplier […]
WASHINGTON STATE SEEKING BEST PATHS FOR DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT TO EVOLVE In 2008, when 30 of 39 Washington counties voted to approve the Death With Dignity Act, assisted dying became legal in the state. The last year for which data is available for utilization of the law is 2018. The data indicates that […]
Webinar: The ABC’s of Compliance in 2021 April 28, 2021 – 11 AM CST Overview: This session will identify the different areas of compliance under scrutiny by the government with an emphasis on payment compliance in 2021. Participants will gain a better understanding of the government’s current focus on auditing, investigating and collecting alleged overpayments. […]
Federal News and Information Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2021 Federal Poverty Level Standards As required by Section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates the poverty guidelines at least annually and by law these updates are applied […]
MEDPAC RELEASES MARCH 2021 REPORT TO CONGRESS ON MEDICARE PAYMENT ISSUES On March 15, MedPAC released its annual March report to Congress. Overall, the report calls for increases for two provider systems — hospitals and long-term care hospitals. The report calls for zero payment increases for physicians, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient dialysis providers, skilled […]
Texas Register TITLE 22. EXAMINING BOARDS PART 9. TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD CHAPTER 174 TELEMEDICINE, SUBCHAPTER A. TELEMEDICINE 22 TAC §174.5–The Texas Medical Board (Board) adopts, on an emergency basis, amendments to 22 TAC §174.5, effective March 3, 2021. On March 19, 2020, the Texas Governor issued a waiver suspending the strict enforcement of §174.5(e)(2)(A) which generally […]
COVID-19 RELIEF BILL MAKES IMPORTANT PROVISIONS FOR SERIOUSLY ILL PATIENTS The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (CTAC) posted “Congress Passes COVID-19 Relief with Important Serious Illness Provisions.” The article reviews the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, “the latest round of COVID-19 relief legislation which includes several key provisions affecting people with serious illness […]