Federal Watch
April 12th, 2012
AGS is tracking developments of interest to geriatrics health professionals in order to provide weekly updates for our readers via our List Serv, americangeriatrics.org, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed. This week, we update you on CMS’ recent decision to delay ICD-10 implementation and fill you in on recent news in regards to care coordination, Accountable Care Organizations, and HHS’ Multiple Chronic Conditions Initiative. We additionally share two new and exciting webinar opportunities from CMS Innovations and remind you about upcoming grant funding opportunities. As always, we encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
CMS delays ICD-10 Implementation
CMS issued a proposed rule delaying for one year the compliance deadline for providers to convert to a new billing system known as ICD-10. The system uses a new set of codes when billing insurance companies for their services. The compliance date was pushed back after providers raised concerns about meeting the October 1, 2013 deadline citing the new billing rules to be overly complicated. For more information, click here.
MedPAC Says Current Payment System Impedes Care Coordination
In a recent analysis, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) found that the current fee for service payment system fails to promote team work and the coordination of care needed to improve patient outcomes. According to some members of the MedPAC advisory board, demonstrations that fail to return significant savings and improve quality may result from the current payment system and the not the demonstrations themselves. Seemingly good interventions typically fail when they are installed in a system not redesigned to accommodate them, MedPAC researchers said. MedPAC’s analysis and comments about care coordination will be included in its June report to Congress.
CMS Announces 27 New Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
The agency has released a list of 27 new ACOs under the Medicare Shared Savings Program – aimed to help physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers work together to improve care for people with Medicare. The new ACOs will serve an estimated 375,000 beneficiaries across 18 states. This brings the total number of organizations participating to 65. In all, as of April 1, more than 1.1 million beneficiaries are receiving care from providers participating in Medicare shared savings initiatives.
HHS Updates on Multiple Chronic Conditions Initiative
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Multiple Chronic Conditions Initiative is to improve the health status and quality of life of people with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). The following is a brief update on recent MCC activities that have or are occurring within DHHS.
- New MCC Research
- CMS Measures Forum on MCCs - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a measures forum on MCCs – April 19, 2012 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST. This Webinar is to inform measures developers about measures used for people with MCCs. If you are interested in participating, please contact us at mcc@hhs.gov.
- Information on the HHS MCC Initiative.
CMS Innovations: Two Upcoming Webinar Opportunities from CMS Innovations
Two new upcoming webinars have been added to Webinars & Forums on innovation.cms.gov. We encourage you to join us for one or both of these learning and engagement opportunities.
What: Webinar: Evidence-based Interventions to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents
Date: Tuesday, April 17
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
More information can be found at innovation.cms.gov/resources/rahnfr_evidence_based_interventions.html.
What: Webinar: Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration: Overview and How to Apply
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
More information can be found at innovation.cms.gov/resources/gne_overview.html.
Reminders
Physician Quality Reporting System & Electronic Prescribing National Provider Call on the Electronic Prescribing 10-Month Feedback Report – Register by April 17
CMS will host a national provider call on the Physician Quality Reporting System & E-Prescribing Incentive Program. Subject matter experts will provide an overview on the Electronic Prescribing 10-Month Feedback Report, followed by a question and answer session. We encourage you to register by visiting here.
AHRQ’s New Comparative Effectiveness Research Grants Program – Applications due May 2 (first round)
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announced a new grants program aimed at training researchers in comparative clinical effectiveness research. The program, Mentored Career Enhancement Award in Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) for Mid-Career and Senior Investigators (K18), targets established mid-career and senior investigators who are interested in developing new skills in comparative effectiveness research methodology and applying these methods to patient-centered outcome research (PCOR). For additional information on the grants program, click here.
CMS Initiative to Strengthen Primary Care Workforce – Applications due May 21
CMS announced a call for applications for a new Affordable Care Act initiative designed to strengthen primary care in the US. Under the Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration, CMS will provide hospitals working with nursing schools to train advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with payments of up to $200 million over four years to cover the costs of APRNs’ clinical training. APRNs—whether they are nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, or nurse midwives—play a pivotal role in primary care. For more information including how to apply, visit the Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration website.
What AGS Did This Week
AGS submitted written testimony to the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee prioritizing funding for the geriatrics education and training programs under Title VII and Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, and for research funding within the National Institute on Aging. Continued federal investments are needed to support the training of the health care workforce and to foster groundbreaking medical research so that our nation is prepared to meet the unique health care needs of the rapidly growing population of older Americans.
How You Can Help
AGS encourages you to Take Action by visiting AGS’ Health in Aging Advocacy Center. Contact your members of Congress today, and urge them to call for both the repeal of the SGR and comprehensive Medicare payment and delivery reform. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Susie Sherman, Senior Coordinator of Public Affairs & Advocacy, ssherman@americangeriatrics.org.
Modified On: April 12th, 2012
