The COVID-19 pandemic caused healthcare providers to change how they operate to continue providing essential services to patients. It is essential to ensure immunization services are maintained or re-initiated. Immunizations help protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks while reducing the burden of respiratory illness during the upcoming influenza season. Centers for Disease …
September 25-26, 2020 The Anticoagulation Forum moved its course online and now you can learn from anywhere! View the same solid curriculum and bonus content on COVID-19 with 10.75 hours of continuing education (CE) credit. This program is delivered virtually by a phenomenal faculty including Dr. Scott Kaatz, Dr. Geoff Barnes, NP, Diane Wirth, and …
Anticoagulation Forum Virtual Boot Camp: Sep. 25-26 Read More »
August 24, 2-2:45PM EDT Requires Login. You’ll get an email and appointment after registration. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making improvements to help people with Medicare find information about health care providers and services, as part of the eMedicare initiative to modernize and personalize your experiences with Medicare information. Care Compare …
Do you have questions about the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Expanded Model Public Health Emergency (PHE) Flexibilities? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist MDPP Suppliers as they continue to provide services to Medicare Beneficiaries. If you have additional questions, please contact CMS by visiting …
CMS Releases FAQs on MDPP Public Health Emergency Flexibilities 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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Lessons from …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health is honoring National Immunization Awareness Month. Although vaccination rates are low among all adults in the U.S., research shows that racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected when it comes to receiving recommended vaccines. Many factors can contribute to lower vaccination rates, including …
In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continued its overhaul of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program to continue the advancement of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) utilization, focusing on burden reduction, and improving interoperability and patient access to health information. As a reminder, below are detailed requirements for the 2020 Medicare …
Learn More About 2020 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Requirements Read More »
Wednesday, August 12, 2–3:30PM EDT The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, August 12 at 2:00 p.m. ET to provide an overview of proposed policies for the 2021 performance year of the Quality Payment Program. During the webinar, CMS subject matter experts will: Provide an overview of …
CMS Webinar on August 12: Overview of the 2021 Proposed Rule for the QPP Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted two new informational presentations focused on the Physician Compare Preview Period that began on June 22 and will close on August 20. The period gives clinicians and groups an opportunity to preview their 2018 Quality Payment Program performance information before it is publicly reported. The …
Physician Compare Preview Period: Informational Presentations Now Available Read More »
Thursday, August 13, 1:30-3PM EDT Proposed changes to the CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule are aimed at reducing burden, recognizing clinicians for the time they spend taking care of patients, removing unnecessary measures, and making it easier for clinicians to be on the path towards value-based care. During this listening session, CMS experts briefly cover …
Listening Session: CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing several policies that would give Medicare beneficiaries more choices in where they seek care and lower their out-of-pocket costs for surgeries. The proposed rule takes steps that would allow hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to operate with better flexibility and patients to have what they …
CMS Proposes Policies to Provide Seniors with More Choices and Lower Costs for Surgeries Read More »
Tuesday, August 25, 1-2PM EDT Part of the Telehealth Practice Innovations During the COVID-19 Pandemic Webinar Series Join us to learn the evolution of telehealth technology and how providers are using it during the pandemic. Our speaker will share provider challenges, barriers, lessons learned, and his experience consulting with nursing homes as they navigate telehealth. …
Telehealth Webinar on August 25: Telehealth Then & Now – A Provider’s Perspective Read More »
Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule would make permanent certain telehealth and workforce flexibilities provided during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and improve healthcare for Americans in Rural Areas The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing changes to expand telehealth permanently, consistent with the Executive Order on Improving Rural and Telehealth Access that …
The current COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) does not waive any requirements related to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Consolidated Billing (CB). However, CMS added CPT codes 99441, 99442, and 99443, to the list of telehealth codes coverable under the waiver during the COVID-19 PHE. These codes designate three different time increments of telephone evaluation and …
COVID-19: Coverage of Physician Telehealth Services Provided to SNF Residents Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are announcing that payment is available to physicians and health care providers to counsel patients, at the time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing, about the importance of self-isolation after they are tested and prior to the onset …
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) is sharing messages and materials on supporting equal opportunities and inclusion for people with disabilities, many of whom are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. On July 26, 1990 the ADA was enacted to prohibit discrimination against …
Bringing Attention to Health Equity for People with Disabilities 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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Call details …
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls: August 11-14 Read More »
On July 28, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released its first monthly update of data that provides a snapshot of the impact of COVID-19 on the Medicare population. For the first time, the snapshot includes data for American Indian/Alaskan Native Medicare beneficiaries. The new data indicate that American Indian/Alaskan Native beneficiaries …
CMS Updates Data on COVID-19 Impacts on Medicare Beneficiaries Read More »
Thursday, August 6, 2020, 10:30-11:00 AM EDT Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. Join us as Michele Carignan, RN and Courtney Lamothe, MSW, LCSW from Continuum Care of Rhode Island, discuss the importance of advance care conversations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning Objectives: Recognize the importance and challenges of having …
COVID-19 Workshop on August 6: COVID-19 & Telehealth Advance Care Conversations Read More »
Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing guidance to ensure that recipients of federal financial assistance understand that they must comply with applicable federal civil rights laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in HHS-funded …
August 11, 1-2pm EDT Part of the Telehealth Practice Innovations During the COVID-19 Pandemic Webinar Series Learn how to bill Medicare for expanded telehealth services under the CMS 1135 Waiver. The presentation, by Susan Whittaker, CPC, CPMA, Senior Program Coordinator, Healthcentric Advisors will include information on: Medicare telehealth coding and billing based on care setting …
Tuesday, July 28, 1-2pm EDT Part of the Telehealth Practice Innovations During the COVID-19 Pandemic Webinar Series An overview of telehealth, presented by Reid Plimpton, MPH, Program Manager of the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center. Learn about: The Telehealth Resource Center’s mission Strategies for implementation Telehealth modalities, uses, value and costs Associated laws Real-life examples Materials …
Telehealth Webinar on July 28: Telehealth 101 & Lay of the Land Read More »
Join us for a telehealth webinar series on alternating Tuesdays, 1-2pm EDT through November 3, 2020.
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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Call details …
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – July Read More »
A 10-week learning community to accelerate telemedicine implementation for ambulatory providers Wednesdays, July 22—Sept 23, 12-1PM ET Although telemedicine use has grown exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many ambulatory providers still lack the knowledge and skills needed to implement video-based telemedicine into their practices. To support wide adoption of telemedicine, the U.S. Department of Health …
July 29, 2020 @ 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET Please join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for another webinar focused on sharing promising public health practices to reduce COVID-19 related disparities. During this webinar, presenters will discuss actions taken to mitigate the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minorities. Additionally, …
CDC COVID-19 Webinar on July 29: Promising Practices in Health Equity Read More »
Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19 (Twice a month on Fridays at 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern) Lessons from the Front Lines calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians are invited to share their experience, ideas, …
CMS Call on July 17: COVID-19 Lessons from the Front Lines Call Read More »
July 29, 2020 @ 2-3:30PM EDT The US. Department of Health & Human Services hosted a New England Virtual Town Hall with the U.S. Surgeon General, VADM Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, entitled Substance Use and COVID-19: A Way Forward. This virtual, live New England Town Hall was designed to help our region chart a …
New England Town Hall on July 29: Substance Use & COVID-19: A Way Forward Read More »
July 16, 2020 @ 12:30pm EDT This webinar provides an overview on the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Billing and Claims process. During this webinar, participants learn key terms and entities involved in the billing and claims process, understand the MDPP payment structure and how it applies to billing, and learn how to successfully submit …
Webinar on July 16: Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Billing and Claims Read More »
Thursday, July 16, 2020, 10:30-11:00 AM EDT Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am. Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties—so what does that look like across the health care spectrum during this pandemic? Join us as we discuss fostering community resilience and how it impacts those you serve. …
COVID-19 Workshop on July 16: Resiliency – Coping & Recovering During a Pandemic 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 group-based training & individual support. There have been some changes to the MDPP enrollment process due to COVID-19. Specifically, the emergency declaration waives the PECOS …
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Enrollment Tutorial Webinar Read More »
The 2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Period for QCDRs and Qualified Registries is Now Open As of today, July 1, 2020, the 2021 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Performance Period Self-Nomination period for Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs) and Qualified Registries is now open. QCDRs and Qualified Registries are CMS-approved vendors that collect clinical data on behalf …
The 2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Period is Now Open Read More »
Visit the Quality Payment Program Resource Library to Access 2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Materials This message is notification that the 2021 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Self-Nomination Materials are now posted on the Quality Payment Program Resource Library. You may access the 2021 Self-Nomination Toolkit for Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDRs) and Qualified Registries zip file …
2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Materials Now Available 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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Call details …
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 6/29/20 and July Read More »
June 30, 2020 @ 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT The COVID-19 pandemic created enormous pressure on our health care system. Nursing Homes, where over 85% of the residents are among the most vulnerable, were immediately impacted with several thousand residents confirmed positive in only a few weeks. As of June 18th, Massachusetts reported over …
Webinar on June 30: Berkshire HealthCare Systems’ COVID-19 Journey – Getting to the Gold Read More »
In response to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing flexibilities for clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program (QPP) Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2020: Clinicians significantly impacted by the public health emergency may submit an Extreme & Uncontrollable Circumstances Application to reweight …
CMS Announces Relief for Clinicians Participating in the Quality Payment Program in 2020 Read More »
New office to continue agency’s work of reducing regulatory burden to allow providers to focus on patients instead of paperwork and reducing health care costs Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing the creation of the Office of Burden Reduction and Health Informatics to unify the agency’s efforts to reduce regulatory …
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 on July 2 as we host a conversation with registered dieticians. Together, we’ll learn about: Successful practices to stabilize resident food intake Monitoring and managing …
COVID-19 Workshop on July 2: Nourishing the Mind, Body, & Soul During 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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Call details …
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 6/15/20 Read More »
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 health equity. Better understand how and why COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting minority and vulnerable populations Learn actionable strategies for mitigating the impact of the pandemic …
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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Call details …
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 6/1/20 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 mental wellness. As it is, those in health care face high rates of burn out. But now they’re even more at risk for negative mental …
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 with the key terms and entities involved in the billing and claims process, understand the MDPP payment structure and how it applies to billing, and …
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, and Virginia. These approvals help to ensure that states have the tools they need to combat COVID-19. This is done through a wide variety of …
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 that laboratories can use to bill for certain COVID-19 lab tests, including serology tests. CMS has updated its guidance to include payment details for additional …
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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Call details …
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 5/18/20 Read More »
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 of measures in certain circumstances. Starting with the 2019 performance period, for measures significantly impacted by clinical guideline changes or other changes where we believe …
Quality Payment Program: 2019 Performance Period Suppressed MIPS Quality Measures 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 to support healthcare professionals in their effort to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes: tools and resources for improving clinical practice in hospitals, ambulatory care …
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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Call details …
May 11-15: CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls 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 group-based training & individual support. There have been some changes to the MDPP enrollment process due to COVID-19. Specifically, the emergency declaration waives the PECOS …
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 Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19, click here www.coronavirus.gov. For information specific to …
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 the 2021 performance period for eligible professionals and eligible clinicians. CMS updates the specifications annually to align with current clinical guidelines and code systems so …
Updated eCQM Specifications and eCQM Materials for 2021 Reporting Now Available Read More »
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. Until appropriate PPE is available, the Rhode Island Department of Health provide guidance on the prioritization and conservation of PPE. Watch these educational videos on …
RIDOH Shares Personal Protective Equipment Videos 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 of emergency declaration blanket waivers for health care providers implemented to date is available here. Additional fact sheets include: Clinicians: Physicians and Other Practitioners (PDF) …
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 that rural communities and healthcare providers have access to the resources they need to combat COVID-19. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) …
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 to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Call details …
View this guide to review coding and guidelines for the COVID-19 emergency. Updated 8/3/20 This information was prepared as a service to the public, and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This information may contain references or links to statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to …
Medicare Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Services Guide Read More »
CMS hosts weekly calls for certain types of organizations to provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance. One to two leaders in the field also share best practices with their peers. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters if time allows. Home Health and Hospice (Tuesdays at 3:00 PM Eastern) Tuesday, …
Lessons from the Front Lines calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians are invited to share their experience, ideas, strategies, and insights with one another related to their COVID-19 response. There is an opportunity to ask …
Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19 (Fridays at 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern) Read More »
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) long-term care (LTC) mini-webinars are now live! These mini-webinars are all published on the Key Strategies to Prepare for COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities (LTCFs) web page at the bottom under a “Webinar Series” section. View the handout (PDF). These new webinars will be a great training …
