NAHC’s is devoted to smaller (though, not less important) items of interest to the hospice & palliative care community. Please read on…
CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
- CMS again updates nursing facility visitation guidelines via FAQ additions:
- Updated FAQs here (updated 2/2/22): https://www.cms.gov/files/document/nursing-home-visitation-faq-1223.pdf
- Visitation guidance here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-39-nh-revised.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3a70fe86-7b18-4b1c-bb87-c808cfef30d7
- Important and relevant update to the FAQs:
- States may require visitors to be tested prior to entering a facility; the facility must provide the rapid test to the visitor. Visitors are not responsible for obtaining a test, and if the facility does not provide a rapid test, visitors cannot be required to test before entering. Visitors must be allowed to enter if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms or meet the criteria for quarantine (e.g., a positive COVID-19 test result).
CENTERS for DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION
- CDC releases revised opioid prescribing guidelines for chronic pain:
- https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0210-prescribing-opioids.html
- The old 2016 guidelines ended up having a chilling effect on opioid prescribing that ultimately resulted in some hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care patients having reduced access to necessary and appropriate pain medication.
- The newly proposed guidelines (like the 2016 ones) are not meant to apply to patients receiving hospice, palliative care, treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease pain, or those at the end-of-life.
- CDC taking comments on the proposed guidelines until April 11, 2022: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/10/2022-02802/proposed-2022-cdc-clinical-practice-guideline-for-prescribing-opioids
NATIONAL QUALITY FORUM
- NQF’s Geriatrics and Palliative Care Standing Committee holding a public measure evaluation meeting this Friday (2/18) at 10am ET
- This important meeting will focus on committee review of three measures important to the hospice and palliative care field:
- Hospice Visits in the Last Days of Life
- Ambulatory Palliative Care Patients’ Experience of Feeling Heard and Understood
- Ambulatory Palliative Care Patients’ Experience of Receiving Desired Help for Pain
- Registration info not yet posted but NQF staffer told me it would be early this week
- This important meeting will focus on committee review of three measures important to the hospice and palliative care field:
FROM THE HILL
- Senators introduce bill to ease Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting requirements:
- https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-collins-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-ease-provider-relief-fund-requirements-facing-overwhelmed-health-care-providers
- The bill (which already has a House companion) would:
- Extend current reporting and use-of-funds deadlines to the end of the pandemic;
- Ensure workplace safety improvements, such as security personnel, risk assessments and physical improvements, such as panic buttons and security cameras, are an allowable use of PRF dollars;
- Direct HRSA to distribute any funds remaining in the PRF by either the end public health emergency or March 31, 2022, and;
- Create an application process for certain providers to receive funds returned in compliance with previous deadlines.
- Amid Congressional Calls to end CMMI’s Direct Contracting Demonstration, Stakeholders Ask HHS to “Fix but not end” the pilot
- https://www.hcinnovationgroup.com/policy-value-based-care/alternative-payment-models/news/21256769/healthcare-groups-plead-with-hhs-becerra-to-retain-direct-contracting-model
- CMS expected to provide updates on the future of the DC model as soon as this week
EDUCATION
- Study finds that automated clinical triggers for palliative care may not help ID unmet patient needs:
- Hospice News & MatrixCare webinar this Thurs (2/17) at 2pm ET: “How to Choose the Right EHR with MatrixCare”
- USC Schaffer Center for Health Policy & Economics webinar on 2/24 at 9:30am PT (12:30pm ET): “Policy Approaches to Improve Access to Palliative Care”