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Payment Matters
June 10, 2011
Quality Reporting for IRFs and More Lenient Rules on Size and Square Footage for IRFs and IPFs on the Horizon
By: Carel T. Hedlund
Like many other Medicare providers, inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) will soon be subject to quality reporting requirements. In addition to the usual annual updates of the IRF rates addressed in the proposed rule for Federal Fiscal Year 2012 published in the April 29, 2011 Federal Register [PDF], CMS is taking steps to implement a quality reporting program for IRFs, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. CMS also has proposed to ease rules for qualifying as a new IRF and for changes in size and square footage for both IRFs and inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPFs). Comments are due by June 21, 2011.
Click to continue...New Wage Index Occupational Mix Survey Data Due July 1
Hospitals’ occupational mix data using the new 2010 survey form is due to fiscal intermediaries (FIs) and Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) by July 1, 2011. The new survey, Form CMS-10079 (2010), collects data from the 2010 calendar year and will be applied beginning with the fiscal year (FY) 2013 wage index.
Click to continue...CMS Proposes Rule Advancing Universal Access to Influenza Immunization
By: John S. Linehan
CMS recently issued a proposed rule [PDF] requiring certain Medicare and Medicaid certified entities to offer all patients annual influenza vaccinations and to develop policies and procedures addressing the threat of pandemic influenza. Through these measures, CMS seeks to boost the overall seasonal vaccination rate from approximately 40 percent to 60 percent and to enhance medical preparedness in the event of a pandemic outbreak. Comments must be received no later than July 5, 2011. CMS plans to issue final rules in the early Fall of 2011, which would go into effect in time for the 2011-2012 influenza season.
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