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NURSING FACILITY POLICY NEWS
November 6, 2009
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RED FLAGS" RULE - EXTENDED UNTIL JUNE 1, 2010
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) again extended the enforcement deadline for the "red flags" rule until June 1, 2010. Enforcement was scheduled to begin on Nov. 1. The move follows the U.S. House of Representatives' approval last month of legislation that would exclude small businesses, including health care providers, with 20 or fewer employees from having to comply with the rule. Other businesses could petition the FTC for an exclusion on a case-by-case basis. The bill still needs to be considered by the Senate. To learn more the "red flags" rule, click HERE.
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OHCQ RELEASES THREE TRANSMITTALS
- TRANSMITTAL NO. 09-03: Quality Indicator Survey, Access to Resident Weight Requirements (November 3, 2009): This transmittal states that upon entrance to the facility, the survey team leader will request comprehensive weight information for all residents residing in the facility, as well as for closed records. This information must be provided as soon as possible to the surveyors. Reference is made to COMAR 10.07.02.20 (E), Ftag 514.
- HOLIDAY DECORATIONS MEMO (November 3, 2009): This annual memo provides guidance on holiday decorations, including the use of fresh cut and live Christmas trees.
- TRANSMITTAL NO. 09-02: Regulatory Standards for Physician Documentation (October 19, 2009): This transmittal provides examples of documentation practices found in some nursing facilities that may violate the professional codes of conduct of certain licensing boards, including the Maryland Medical Act. Practices highlight involve the completion of the Instructions on Life-Sustaining Treatment Options form, the EMS Do Not Resuscitate and Medical Care Order form, Certification of Medical Condition form, and Certification of Incapacity form.
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MEDICAID UPDATES - Memos, Transmittals and Training
- Levels of Care Determinations for "MA Pending" Memo: On October 7, 2009, DHMH issued a memo on the process for level of care determinations for MA Pendings. LifeSpan sent the memo to all members.
- KePRO/DHMH Offering iExchange WebEx Training Dates: Two dates - Friday, November 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM and Tuesday, December 17, 2009 11:00 AM. Register by contacting jgrady@kepro.org. Remember, DHMH will be mandating that all nursing home providers use iExchange as of February 1, 2010. DHMH will be releasing a memo on this requirement within the next month. Please make sure to take advantage of these trainings or contact KePRO for other opportunities.
- Transmittal No. 223: Continued Stay Review - Applicants for Medicaid LTC Reimbursment for Chronic Hospital Care (October 30, 2009): This transmittal articulates a change in the way in which the utilization control agent will perform continued stay review of patients who have submitted an application for Medicaid LTC benefits.
MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY UPDATES - New Bureau, Addressing Case Backlog
- New Bureau of Long-Term Care Eligibility Opens: The new bureau opened October 30, 2009. The bureau will serve Prince George's County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Anne Arundel Counties as well as perform certain Statewide functions. LifeSpan sent out a memo to all members with contact information for the Bureau. Click HERE for the memo.
- New Funds Granted to Handle Case Backlog: LifeSpan has learned that the Department of Human Resources has just approved an overtime project in the amount of $76,000 to allow 18 long-term care caseworkers to address the State's backlog of eligibility determinations. LifeSpan will be meeting next week with the Department as part of the on-going eligibility workgroup and will provide you with further updates. In the meantime, please make sure to utilize the new stuck case and 257s process. Providers have reported positive results when they invoke these processes. Memos on the processes can be downloaded HERE.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP
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