On April 24, 2018 CMS issued a proposed rule for FY2019 expected to empower patients through better access to hospital price information, improve patients’ access to their electronic health records, and make it easier for providers to spend time with their patients. The rule proposes updates to Medicare payment policies and rates under the Inpatient […]
Medicare Benefits Policy Manual Links to all Chapters and Crosswalks. The Internet-only Manuals (IOMs) are a replica of the Agency’s official record copy. They are CMS’ program issuances, day-to-day operating instructions, policies, and procedures that are based on statutes, regulations, guidelines, models, and directives. The CMS program components, providers, contractors, Medicare Advantage organizations and state […]
This is a zip file for download. CPT® license agreement required. 2018 Final Rule OPPS Addenda – Opens in a new window (The 2018 Inpatient Only List is here as Addendum E.) It is available as an Excel file or as a Text file. For additional information on the OPPS Final Rule see this document.
About this FR: Patients over Paperwork Initiative CMS recently launched the Patients Over Paperwork Initiative, a cross-cutting, collaborative process that evaluates and streamlines regulations with a goal to reduce unnecessary burden, increase efficiencies, and improve the beneficiary experience. Through the Patients Over Paperwork Initiative, CMS, along with its partners and stakeholders, is committed to removing regulatory […]
On November 2, 2017, CMS issued a final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2018. The calendar year (CY) 2018 PFS final rule is one of several final rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide […]
A Medicare Learning Matters article dated August 23, 2016 clarifies “Incident To” services. See also this eCourse
We are starting a blog here at AQ-IQ, and our first posts will be part of a Getting To Know You Series. We’ll be posting introductions to each team member gradually so that you know just who is behind the educational content on this website. We’re excited to share and open up here, and our […]
AHRQ National Scorecard on Hospital-Acquired Conditions AHRQ has developed a foundation of patient safety research and tools, and this work continues to provide valuable assets and advance the scientific framework for implementation of these collaborative efforts, including the AHRQ National Scorecard on Hospital-Acquired Conditions. The National Scorecard presents cumulative data on the nation’s progress toward reducing HACs. The scorecard shows an overall […]
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Work Plan for fiscal year (FY) 2017 summarizes new and ongoing reviews and activities that OIG plans to pursue with respect to HHS programs and operations during the current fiscal year and beyond. Work planning is an ongoing and evolving process, […]