Just before the MOON requirement became effective March 8, CMS added another hoop to jump through in an open door forum held February 28.The discussion in that forum forced many organizations to change course at the last minute as CMS announced it would not allow pre-populated check boxes in the free-text field of the MOON designated for describing clinical reasons for the service the patient receives. Organizations that had listened to experts touting the value of adding check boxes with specific rationale to the MOON were forced to revamp the form shortly before implementation.
This week's note from the instructor discusses several changes regarding inpatient-only procedures that might have flown under the radar for some hospitals.
Do we give a MOON letter to a patient who was originally assigned to inpatient status, but then reassigned to observation services when the utilization review committee determined that he or she did not meet inpatient criteria. In this instance, condition code 44 was used and the patient’s status was changed to observation. If we are required to deliver the MOON form in this situation, should it be given to the patient at the same time as the patient is given information on condition code 44?
CMS released eight frequently asked questions related to the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice March 8, the date by which all hospitals and critical access hospitals were required to begin delivering the new patient notice.
This week’s Medicare updates include an OIG Advisory Opinion; new MOON FAQs; a CMS transmittal clarifying admission order and medical review requirements; and more!
