Once enforcement of Medicare’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) began in 2012, initial data showed hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge declined for Medicare recipients admitted to hospitals for certain medical conditions. But according to a new study published in The BMJ, the decrease in inpatient readmissions was outpaced by an increase in overall hospital revisits, creating questions about the overall success of the HRRP.
Q: What would be reported as the principal diagnosis if a patient was admitted with both a urinary tract infection (UTI) and sepsis? What would be reported first if the patient developed a catheter-associated UTI with sepsis?
This week's note from the instructor explores proposals from the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule and items for revenue cycle staff to consider commenting on before the comment period closes September 27.
Q: I work in a residential care facility, and we have smart speakers in some resident rooms. Patient information is discussed where these smart devices can “hear” it. Although most manufacturers claim speakers are not “listening in,” we all hear about how speakers sometimes do what manufacturers say they do not. Could these speakers lead to a HIPAA violation?
