This week in Medicare updates—6/22/2022
ICD-10-CM Code Files Posted
On June 10, CMS posted the FY 2023 ICD-10-CM diagnosis code files and guidelines to the 2023 ICD-10-CM webpage. Files include the conversion table, code descriptions in tabular order, the code tables, the coding guidelines, and an addendum.
Updated Corporate Integrity Agreement Documents
On June 13, the OIG published information on a new Corporate Integrity Agreement with the following entity:
Comment Request: Report of a Hospital Death Associated with Restraint or Seclusion; more
On June 13, CMS published a Comment Request in the Federal Register regarding the following information collections:
- Quality Measures and Administrative Procedures for the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program
- Report of a Hospital Death Associated with Restraint or Seclusion
Comments are due by August 12, 2022.
Surveys for Compliance with Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Requirements
On June 14, CMS published a Memorandum to state survey agency directors regarding surveys for COVID-19 vaccination compliance. Surveyors will continue to perform oversight of compliance with the staff vaccination requirement for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers during initial and recertification surveys, but these will now only be performed in response to complaints alleging non-compliance, not all surveys. CMS is also revising QSO-22-11 to update guidance to ensure deficiency determinations reflect good faith efforts implemented by providers and suppliers and incorporate harm or potential harm to patients and residents resulting from any non-compliance.
Effective date: Immediately. This policy should be communicated to all survey and certification staff and managers immediately.
Updated OIG Work Plan
On June 15, the OIG updated its Work Plan with the following new item:
July 2022 Update of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)
On June 15, CMS published Medicare Claims Processing Transmittal 11457, which rescinds and replaces Transmittal 11435, dated May 26, 2022, to correct Table 1 in attachment A because it was missing some codes. The original transmittal was published regarding the July 2022 updates to the OPPS.
CMS revised MLN Matters 12761 on the same date to accompany the transmittal.
Effective date: July 1, 2022
Implementation date: July 5, 2022
Beta Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease
On June 16, CMS published a Tracking Sheet to open an NCD analysis regarding NCD 220.6.20 (Beta Amyloid Positron Tomography in Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease). CMS is reconsidering coverage to determine whether the current policy of one scan per patient per lifetime should be revised. By issuing the tracking sheet, CMS is opening a 30-day public comment period. Comments are due by July 15.
Recission of Memo Regarding Vaccination Expectations for Surveyors Performing Federal Oversight
On June 16, CMS published a Memorandum to state survey agency directors to rescind a January 25, 2022 memo regarding COVID-19 vaccination expectations for surveyors. The guidance does not include any possibility of penalties for noncompliance and further prohibits facilities from inquiring about surveyor vaccination status. It is therefore rescinding the memo, although it is encouraging surveyors who perform federal oversight surveys to get their COVID-19 vaccines.
Revisions to the State Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix L - Ambulatory Surgical Centers and Chapter 9 Exhibits - Exhibit 351
On June 17, CMS published State Operations Transmittal 206 regarding revisions to the manual to align with guidance released through memos and federal regulation changes for surveying ambulatory surgical centers.
Effective date: June 17, 2022
Implementation date: June 17, 2022