This week in Medicare updates—5/25/2022

May 25, 2022
Medicare Insider

Updated OIG Work Plan

On May 16, the OIG updated its Work Plan with the following new items:

 

CMS Redesigns Medicare.Gov Website

On May 18, CMS published a Press Release to announce its latest redesign of the Medicare.gov website, which CMS said was done to make the website more user-friendly and easier to navigate. Some of the updates include more prominently featured timely initiatives and an area that highlights key tasks.

 

Interns and Residents Information System (IRIS) XML Format

On May 19, CMS published One-Time Notification Transmittal 11418 regarding instructions to the MACs on changes to requirements for IRIS data. This data is required to be reported using the XML format for all cost reports with an FY beginning on or after October 1, 2021. Teaching providers also must ensure that the total GME and IME full time equivalents reported on the IRIS must match the total GME and IME full time equivalents reported on the cost report. 

Effective date: October 1, 2021

Implementation date: August 19, 2022

 

Omnibus CR Covering Removal of Two NCDs; Updates to Medical Nutrition Therapy Policy; and Updates to Pulmonary, Cardiac, and Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Conditions of Coverage

On May 20, CMS published Medicare Benefit Policy Transmittal 11426, Medicare Claims Processing Transmittal 11426, and Medicare National Coverage Determinations Transmittal 11426, which rescinds and replaces Benefit Policy Transmittal 11272, Claims Processing Transmittal 11272, and National Coverage Determinations Transmittal 11272, all dated February 18, 2022, to revise chapter 32 of the Claims Processing Manual. The revisions do not apply to the other two manuals. The original transmittal was published regarding a variety of updates to the manuals based on policies finalized in the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule. 

On February 22, CMS published MLN Matters 12613 to accompany the transmittals. 

Effective date: January 1, 2022 - By statute

Implementation date: July 5, 2022

 

Elimination of Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMN) & Durable Medical Equipment Information Forms (DIF)

On May 20, CMS published Medicare Claims Processing Transmittal 11427, which rescinds and replaces Transmittal 11414, dated May 12, to correct the implementation and effective date.

CMS published Special Edition MLN Matters 22002 on the same date to accompany the transmittal.

Effective date: January 1, 2023

Implementation date: January 3, 2023