June 19, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) instructed Medicare Administrative Contactors and notified Medicare Advantage plans to cover coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) laboratory tests for […]
Medicare Coverage of COVID-19 Testing for Nursing Home Residents and Patients Read More »
In case you missed it, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the second set of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nursing home data today. The data will be
CMS Released Weekly Update of Nursing Home COVID-19 Data as of June 7, 2020 Read More »
Providing Compassionate Food & Nutrition Services Thursday, July 2, 2020, 10:30-11:00 AM EDT Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. Join us for a COVID-19 Workshop
COVID-19 Workshop on July 2: Nourishing the Mind, Body, & Soul During COVID-19 Read More »
Thursday, June 25, 2020, 10:30-11:00 AM EDT Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. The COVID-19 pandemic presented healthcare professionals with enormous challenges related to PPE.
COVID-19 Workshop on June 25: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Nursing Homes Read More »
The impact of COVID-19 on older adults is difficult to measure. Memories not made, questions unanswered, and loved ones separated for extended periods of time. We may never know the
Register Now: IHI Hosts Weekday Nursing Home Huddles Read More »
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 6/15/20 Read More »
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 @ 2:00pm-3:00pm (ET) During this CDC Clinician Outreach and Communications Activity (COCA) call, presenters will use case-based scenarios to discuss how to apply infection prevention and
Thursday, June 18, 2020 @ 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET The National Nursing Home Training Series is brought to you by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and
Thursday, June 18, 2020, 10:30-11:00 AM EDT Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. Join us on June 18 at 10:30am for a COVID-19 workshop on
How should nursing homes approach COVID-19 testing and surveillance for their residents, staff and others who visit their facilities? National Nursing Home Training Webinar Through our work with hundreds of
Implementing Strategies for COVID-19 Surveillance and Early Detection Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed a toolkit full of innovative solutions deployed at the state level to protect our nation’s vulnerable nursing home residents during the
QIN-QIOs Partner with CMS to Create New COVID-19 Toolkit for Nursing Homes Read More »
Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 4:00–5:00 PM ET On June 11, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Quality Improvement Organization Program will provide an overview of cohorting guidelines
Webinar on June 11: Cohorting – Effective Management of Residents and Staff Read More »
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 6/8/2020 Read More »
Thursday, June 11, 2020, 10:30-11:00 AM EDT Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. Join us for a continuation of our conversation with an infectious disease
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new Guidance that specifies what additional data must be reported to HHS by laboratories along with Coronavirus Disease 2019
HHS Announces New Laboratory Data Reporting Guidance for COVID-19 Testing Read More »
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is posting the first set of underlying coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nursing home data. On April 19, 2020, CMS announced the
Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results Available on Nursing Home Compare Read More »
Brought to you by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program Thursdays through July 16, 2020 @ 4-5 p.m. ET Registration is
National Nursing Home Training Series Read More »
On June 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a statement on new infection control guidance for nursing homes. The statement describes enhanced accountability measures that come
Individualized Technical Assistance for Nursing Homes Read More »
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 6/1/20 Read More »
Thursday, June 4, 2020, 10:30-11:00 AM EDT Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. Join us for our next COVID-19 Workshop on June 4: Current best
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) continues to support the nation’s COVID-19 response for Long-Term Care Facilities. The NHSN Long-term Care Facility (LTCF) COVID-19
CDC NHSN Special Circumstances Read More »
In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, state and local governments, hospitals, and others are developing alternate care sites to expand capacity and provide needed care to patients. This
CMS Programs & Payment for Care in Hospital Alternate Care Sites Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a new toolkit developed with QIN-QIOs to aid nursing homes, governors, state departments of health and other agencies who provide
Toolkit Connects Nursing Homes with Local Solutions to COVID-19 Crisis Care Read More »
May is Mental Health Month, and we want to recognize the unique position frontline health workers are in during this pandemic and what kind of toll that takes on their
Resources for Mental Health Month Read More »
Thursday, May 28, 2020, 10:30-11am Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. Our May 28 workshop will feature Dr. Sarah Sy, Geriatric Diabetes Fellow in Boston,
May 21, 2020 @ 1pm EDT This webinar will provide an overview on the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Billing and Claims process. During this webinar, participants will become familiar
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Billing and Claims Webinar Read More »
CMS has approved over 200 requests for state relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including recent approvals for Alaska, Iowa, Hawaii, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah,
CMS Gives States Additional Flexibility to Address Coronavirus Pandemic Read More »
Earlier this year, CMS took action to ensure America’s patients, health care facilities, and clinical laboratories were prepared to respond to COVID-19. To help increase testing, CMS developed two codes
Medicare Payment for COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests Read More »
CMS continues to release waivers for the healthcare community that provide the flexibilities needed to take care of patients during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). CMS recently provided additional
CMS Releases Additional Waivers for Hospitals and Ground Ambulance Organizations Read More »
CMS announced new guidance for state and local officials to ensure the safe reopening of nursing homes across the country. The guidance released today is part of President Trump’s Guidelines
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 5/18/20 Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants to remind eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals that the Annual Call for Measures for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program is
To ensure accurate data are reported, the NHSN LTCF Team asks that all facilities review the reporting guidance provided in the table of instructions posted on the LTCF COVID-19 webpage.
In the Calendar Year (CY) 2019 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (83 FR 59847), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established a policy that provides for the suppression
Quality Payment Program: 2019 Performance Period Suppressed MIPS Quality Measures Read More »
Thursday, May 21, 2020, 10:30-11am Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a module within the web-based
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 2-3pm EDT For May’s LTSS webinar, join UNITE (Uniting Tribal Nursing Homes in Excellence) in a panel discussion with nursing home and assisted living facility administrators.
Register for the webinar: Long-term Care Facilities’ Response to COVID-19 Read More »
CMS released a new toolkit developed to aid nursing homes, Governors, states, departments of health, and other agencies who provide oversight and assistance to these facilities, with additional resources to
CMS Issues Nursing Homes Best Practices Toolkit to Combat COVID-19 Read More »
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) shares a new online resource that provides access to critical research and tools related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resource was developed
AHRQ’s COVID-19 Resources Read More »
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) will be hosting a Live Q & A Session on Thursday, May 14, 2020. This session will solely discuss COVID-19 Module for
CDC Hosts NHSN Live Q & A Session Read More »
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma penned a letter to nursing home management and staff. Administrator Verma shared her gratitude for the unwavering dedication
Letter From CMS Administrator to Nursing Home Workers Read More »
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended
May 11-15: CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls Read More »
CMS continues to release waivers for the healthcare community that provide the flexibilities needed to take care of patients during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). CMS recently provided additional
CMS Releases Additional Waivers for Hospitals and Other Facilities Read More »
Want to help people with Medicare stay healthy and prevent diabetes? Become a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) supplier. As a supplier, you’ll help people with Medicare make lasting behavior changes through
Join Us For An Enrollment Tutorial Webinar Read More »
CMS is exercising regulatory flexibilities for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) to waive the 60 percent rule. We are also waiving IRF coverage and
COVID-19: IRF Flexibilities During the PHE Read More »
A new MLN Matters Special Edition Article SE20017 on Medicare Pharmacies and Other Suppliers May Temporarily Enroll as Independent Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories to Help Address COVID-19 Testing is available. Learn
Thursday, May 14, 2020, 10:30-11am Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a module within the web-based
COVID-19 Workshop on May 14: NHSN COVID-19 Module for Long-Term Care Facilities Read More »
Here is a summary of recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) actions taken in response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as part of the ongoing White House Task
CMS News Summary – MAY 7, 2020 Read More »
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services (CMS) wants to remind people with Medicare that the program covers mental health services to support
May is Mental Health Awareness Month Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) specifications for the 2021 reporting period for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals, and
Updated eCQM Specifications and eCQM Materials for 2021 Reporting Now Available Read More »
CMS issued a memo and frequently asked questions addressing the new requirement that nursing homes and long term care facilities report COVID-19 facility data to the Centers for Disease Control
Personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators (like N95s), facemasks (such as surgical masks), face shields and other eye protection, gowns, and gloves, are in short supply across the United States.
RIDOH Shares Personal Protective Equipment Videos Read More »
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED – SPACE IS LIMITED The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is hosting four live Q&A sessions on the NHSN COVID-19 Module. Sessions: If you plan
Register Now: CDC is Hosting 4 Live Q&A Sesions on the NHSN COVID-19 Module Read More »
Several changes in the IFC allow additional Medicare payment; CMS has issued FAQs addressing Medicare Fee-for-Service Billing issues. The FAQs in this document supplement the following previously released FAQs: 1135
FAQs: Medicare FFS Billing Read More »
CMS is allowing healthcare systems and hospitals to provide services in locations beyond their existing walls to help address the urgent need to expand care capacity and to develop sites
CMS Hospitals without Walls Initiative Read More »
CMS is committed to taking critical steps to ensure America’s clinical laboratories can respond to the threat of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses to ensure patient health and safety.
Laboratory and Testing Resources Read More »
CMS has developed a toolkit for stakeholder partners to help you stay informed on CMS and HHS materials available on COVID-19. Check back often for the most up-to-date information; please
Additional Resources & Calls for Stakeholders Read More »
CMS has updated multiple fact sheets that summarize changes made through regulatory actions in response to COVID-19. View more resources available on CMS waivers and flexibilities here. A full list
CMS Releases Updated Fact Sheets Read More »
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 4-5:00pm EST Delivering healthcare in rural communities presents unique challenges that have always required coordination and innovation. Now, more than ever, it is essential
May 12 Webinar: Rural Health and COVID-19 Read More »
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended
CMS COVID-19 Calls: May 5-8, 2020 Read More »
On Monday, May 4, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), with support from The John A. Hartford Foundation, is launching the COVID-19 Rapid Response Network for Nursing Homes. The network is
COVID-19 Rapid Response Network for Nursing Homes from IHI & John A. Hartford Foundation Read More »