New Fact Sheet: Medicare Billing for Respiratory Vaccines in SNF | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/New-Fact-Sheet-Medicare-Billing-for-Respiratory-Vaccines-in-SNF-.aspx | New Fact Sheet: Medicare Billing for Respiratory Vaccines in SNF | | | | | 3/13/2024 4:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>After many discussions between AHCA/NCAL and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) about the confusing payment policies associated with administering preventive vaccines to short- and long term residents in nursing facilities, CMS has issued a concise and helpful <a href="/Quality/Documents/GetVaccinated/CMS%20Billing%20Guidance%20for%20Vaccines%20in%20LTC.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">fact sheet</a> that addresses several complex billing scenarios. </div><div> </div><div>The two-page fact sheet explains how Medicare pays for Part B or Part D covered preventive vaccines administered during a patient’s stay in a nursing home. Vaccine payment depends on the type of vaccine and whether the patient is using their Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Part A benefit, including scenarios where the resident is also receiving Medicare hospice benefits. This document doesn’t cover vaccine payment by Medicare managed care, Medicaid, or commercial insurance. </div><div> </div><div>The document specifically discusses billing and payment responsibilities associated with the Part D respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines, and Part B flu, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. Links to CMS updates to the price and billing codes for the vaccines each year and more information are provided at the end of the document. </div><div> </div><div>AHCA/NCAL recommends that providers share with billing staff, pharmacies, and residents as applicable as it may help clarify who is responsible for submitting the Part B or Part D claims in specific scenarios. <br><br></div><p></p> | After many discussions between AHCA/NCAL and CMS about the confusing payment policies associated with administering preventive vaccines to short- and long term residents in nursing facilities, CMS has issued a concise and helpful fact sheet.
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New COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Older Adults | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/New-COVID-19-Vaccine-Recommendations-for-Older-Adults.aspx | New COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Older Adults | | | | | 3/6/2024 5:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-0228-covid.html" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">new COVID-19 vaccine recommendations</a> for older adults. The CDC now recommends that adults ages 65 years and older receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose. The recommendations were made by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) that evaluated existing data on vaccine effectiveness and considered the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults. </div><div> </div><div>The purpose of this additional vaccine dose is to restore protection that may have waned since the fall vaccine dose to prevent serious illness, hospitalizations or death. Older adults may receive the additional vaccine dose four months after the previous vaccine for Moderna and Pfizer, or two months if immunocompromised. The CDC provides additional <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html#table-01" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">clinical considerations</a> that can be utilized when counseling patients regarding this additional vaccine dose. </div><div> </div><div>The AHCA/NCAL <a href="/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx#%3a~%3atext=%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8BThe%202023%20%23GetVaccinated%20Toolkit%20is%20a%2camong%20their%20residents%20and%20staff." data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">#getvaccinated website</a> contains free tools and resources for providers to encourage vaccine update and navigate the reimbursement policies. </div><div> </div><div>Please email <a href="mailto:COVID19@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">COVID19@ahca.org</a> with questions. <br></div><p></p> | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released new COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for older adults. | |
NHSN Posts Upcoming Office Hours and Additional Reminders | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/NHSN-Posts-Upcoming-Office-Hours-and-Additional-Reminders.aspx | NHSN Posts Upcoming Office Hours and Additional Reminders | | | | | 2/20/2024 5:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently posted a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/hps/vaccination/index.html" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">reminder</a> for facilities to log in to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and make sure that each facility has an active facility administrator. Additionally, the CDC posted a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/Reminder-to-review-assigned-facility-administrator.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">document</a> with instructions for facilities that need to reassign the administrator role in NHSN. </div><div> </div><div>Please note that only the facility administrator can enroll a facility in one or more components in NHSN, reassign the role of facility administrator, and manage/negotiate locations that are used across components. It is important for the facility administrator to maintain access to NHSN and report data. This will assist with submitting data in advance of reporting deadlines, such as the May 15, 2024, deadline to report annual health care personnel influenza vaccination summary data and the required weekly reporting for the COVID-19 module. </div><div> </div><div>The CDC has scheduled upcoming open office hours for reporting the annual Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Data (registration is required). <strong>Facilities are required to report this data by May 15, 2024, under the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) or may face a two percent reduction to their Medicare annual payment update for FY 2025. </strong></div><div> </div><div>The upcoming open office hours schedule includes: </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_vCui2rNaR6ebeJ7bVoP4RQ#/registration" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Wednesday February 28, 2024 at 2pm EST </a><br></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><a href="https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_trP6cwnjRtOYRXi5OYeGcw#/registration" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Thursday Mary 28, 2024 at 2pm EST </a></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><a href="https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_GJvxuP61Snyk-XWt-QmQMQ#/registration" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">Thursday April 25, 2024 at 2pm EST </a></span></li></ul></div><p></p> | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently posted a reminder for facilities to log in to the National Healthcare Safety Network and make sure that each facility has an active facility administrator. | |
CDC Report Demonstrates Effectiveness of 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CDC-Report-Demonstrates-Effectiveness-of-2023-2024-COVID-19-Vaccine.aspx | CDC Report Demonstrates Effectiveness of 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine | | | | | 2/6/2024 5:00:00 AM | | <p><br></p><div>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7304a2.htm?s_cid=mm7304a2_e&ACSTrackingID=USCDC_921-DM121333&ACSTrackingLabel=This%20Week%20in%20MMWR:%20Vol.%2073%2c%20February%201%2c%202024&deliveryName=USCDC_921-DM121333" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">effectiveness of the updated 2023-2024 Monovalent COVID-19 vaccine</a>. <strong>The study showed that the updated COVID-19 vaccine provided approximately 54% increased protection against symptomatic COVID-19 infection compared with not receiving an updated vaccine. </strong>Vaccination also provides protection against currently circulating variants. <br></div><div> </div><div>Providers should continue to encourage long term care (LTC) staff and residents to become vaccinated against COVID-19. Residents in LTC communities are among those at the highest risk of severe disease and illness from all common respiratory viruses, including the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/illness-severity.html" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Hospitalizations from COVID-19 continue to remain higher than for flu. </a> </div><div> </div><div> AHCA/NCAL strongly encourages providers to download and share the latest information to foster vaccinations using its #GetVaccinated toolkit available at <a href="/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">getvaccinated.us</a>. <br></div><div> </div><div><br><br></div><p></p> | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on the effectiveness of the updated 2023-2024 Monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.
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