On January 8, CMS released MLN Matters SE19002 on status determinations for total knee arthroplasty, which included guidance on how to determine proper status for patients undergoing the procedure, but CMS quickly rescinded it and announced that it is making revisions and will reissue it in the near future.
A recent study published in Healh Affairs claims that reductions in readmission rates reported as due to the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) are “illusory or overstated.”
Research has shown that untreated depression in hospitalized patients may affect patient outcomes, including recovery and the likelihood of readmission after discharge. Screening for depression can help spot the problem and help patients get needed treatment.
A case manager returns to work at the start of the new year only to find that two of his patients’ commercial insurances had implemented new discharge planning and utilization review rules effective January 1.
