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Many providers have have cohorted residents in the same isolation room – applying recent CMS and CDC guidance during the COVID-19 emergency. This cohorting leaves many providers with the question: Can we code isolation on the MDS for cohorted residents? These facilities recognize that coding isolation will result in higher reimbursement in the PDPM, State…

When the President and HHS Secretary declared a national health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, they triggered section 1135 of the Social Security Act.  Section 1135 allows the Secretary to temporarily waive or modify certain Medicare and Medicaid requirements to ensure sufficient health care for enrollees. Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) were issued multiple…

Every April a Proposed PPS Final Rule is put forth by CMS. The proposed rule this year (2020) would update the SNF prospective payment rates for fiscal year (FY)2021 as required under the Social Security Act. CMS recognizes that the entire healthcare system is focused on responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency. As a…

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for skilled nursing facilities to have an effective Emergency Preparedness Plan – one that includes sheltering-in-place. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Final Rule requires that participating providers have an active Emergency Preparedness Plan. With reimbursement payments, accreditation status, and liability exposures all on the line, long-term care…