Source: https://mtelehealth.com/cms-flexibilities-to-fight-covid-19-hospice/
Timestamp: 2020-08-10 04:29:24
Document Index: 144810577

Matched Legal Cases: ['§418', '§484', '§418', '§418', 'art 418', '§418', '§418', '§418', '§422', '§ 423']

Hospice providers can provide services to a Medicare patient receiving routine homecare through telecommunications technology (e.g., remote patient monitoring;telephone calls (audio only and TTY); and 2-way audio-video technology), if it is feasibleand appropriate to do so. Only in-person visits are to be recorded on the hospice claim.
Face-to-face encounters for purposes of patient recertification for the Medicare hospicebenefit can now be conducted via telehealth (i.e., 2-way audio-videotelecommunications technology that allows for real-time interaction between thehospice physician/hospice nurse practitioner and the patient).
Training and Assessment of Aides: CMS is waiving the requirement at 42 CFR§418.76(h)(2) for Hospice and 42 CFR §484.80(h)(1)(iii) for HHAs, which require aregistered nurse, or in the case of an HHA a registered nurse or other appropriate skilledprofessional (physical therapist/occupational therapist, speech language pathologist) tomake an annual onsite supervisory visit (direct observation) for each aide that providesservices on behalf of the agency. In accordance with section 1135(b)(5) of the Act, weare postponing completion of these visits. All postponed onsite assessments must becompleted by these professionals no later than 60 days after the expiration of the PHE.
. CMS is modifying the requirement at 42 CFR §418.100(g)(3), whichrequires hospices to annually assess the skills and competence of all individuals
furnishing care and provide in-service training and education programs where required. Pursuant to section 1135(b)(5) of the Act, we are postponing the deadline for completing this requirement throughout the COVID-19 PHE until the end of the first full quarter after the declaration of the PHE concludes. This does not alter the minimum personnel requirements at 42 CFR §418.114. Selected hospice staff must complete training and have their competency evaluated in accordance with unwaived provisions of 42 CFR Part 418.
Comprehensive Assessments: CMS is waiving certain requirements for Hospice 42 CFR §418.54 related to update of the comprehensive assessments of patients. This waiver applies the timeframes for updates to the comprehensive assessment (§418.54(d)). Hospices must continue to complete the required assessments and updates, however, the timeframes for updating the assessment may be extended from 15 to 21 days.
Waive Non-Core Services: CMS is waiving the requirement for hospices to provide certain non-core hospice services during the national emergency, including the requirements at 42 CFR §418.72 for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology.
appeal that don’t meet the required elements using information that is available 42 CFR §422.562, 42 CFR § 423.562.
•CMS is allowing MACs and QICs in the FFS program 42 CFR 405. 950 and 42 CFR 405.966and MA and Part D plans, as well as the Part C and Part D IREs, 42 CFR 422.562, 42 CFR
Cost Reporting. CMS is delaying the filing deadline of certain cost report due dates due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We are currently authorizing delay for the following fiscal year-end (FYE) dates. CMS will delay the filing deadline of FYE 10/31/2019 cost reports due by March 31, 2020, and FYE 11/30/2019 cost reports due by April 30, 2020. The extended cost report due dates for these October and November FYEs will be June 30, 2020. CMS will also delay the filing deadline of the FYE 12/31/2019 cost reports due by May 31, 2020. The extended cost report due date for FYE 12/31/2019 will be July 31, 2020.
The Interim Final Rules and waivers can be found at: https://www.cms.gov/about­cms/emergency-preparedness-response-operations/current-emergencies/coronavirus­waivers .
CMS has released guidance to describe standards of practice for infection control andprevention of COVID-19 in hospices at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-16­hospice.pdf