2022-01-20-MLNC

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Date
2022-01-21
Title
COVID-19: Long-term Care, RHCs, & FQHCs



Thursday, January 20, 2022

News

MLN Matters® Articles

Publications

 

News

 

COVID-19: Vaccine Access in Long-term Care Settings

The federal government is committed to ensuring that residents and staff in long-term care settings, like nursing homes, assisted living, residential care communities, group homes, and senior housing, have access to COVID-19 vaccines to get primary series and booster shots.

We encourage long-term care providers to consider the option that works best for their residents and staff when coordinating access to COVID-19 vaccines, either in the local community or on-site. The CDC has additional details on these options.

As a reminder, through enforcement discretion, CMS will allow Medicare-enrolled immunizers, including but not limited to pharmacies working with the U.S., to bill directly and get direct reimbursement from the Medicare program for vaccinating Medicare skilled nursing facility residents. Find Medicare billing and payment information.

 

There’s Still Time: Recommend the Flu Shot

Whether you’re a primary care physician, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider, you play a significant role in helping protect your patients against the flu. Your strong flu shot recommendation is one of the most important factors in patients getting the vaccine.

Medicare Part B covers 1 flu shot per flu season and additional flu shots if medically necessary. Your patients pay nothing if you accept assignment.

Remember to:

  • Use each office visit to talk with your patients about why it’s important to get the flu shot
  • Share handouts with patients who want additional information, have questions, or decline the flu shot
  • Refer patients to a vaccine provider if your practice doesn’t give the flu shot

Learn how you and your staff can make a strong recommendation with the CDC’s Prepare Your Practice to Fight Flu slide presentation.

More Information:

 

Chiropractic Treatment of the Spine: Comparative Billing Report in January

In late January, CMS will issue a Comparative Billing Report (CBR) on Medicare Part B claims for chiropractic spine treatment. Use the data-driven report to compare your billing practices with those of your peers in your state and across the nation.

CBRs aren’t publicly available, so look for an email from cbrpepper.noreply@religroupinc.com to access yours. Make sure your email address is up-to-date in the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System so you get your report.

More Information:

 

MLN Matters® Articles

 

Calendar Year (CY) 2022 Annual Update for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule and Laboratory Services Subject to Reasonable Charge Payment — Revised

Learn about the delay in the clinical laboratory fee schedule data reporting period for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and the 15% phase-in reduction (PDF).

 

New & Expanded Flexibilities for RHCs & FQHCs during the COVID-19 PHE — Revised

Learn about the revised payment rate for Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) distant site telehealth services and RHC payment limits (PDF).

 

Publications

 

Rural Health Clinic — Revised

Learn about payment, visit, and service changes that went into effect January 1 (PDF), including:

  • Hospice visits
  • Transitional care management
  • COVID-19 monoclonal antibody products
  • Mental health care telehealth visits
     

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