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Polaris Pulse Archives
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ICD-9-CM ANNUAL UPDATE
The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) is based on the World Health Organization’s Ninth Revision, International Classification of Diseases. ICD-9-CM is the official system of assigning codes to diagnoses and procedures in the United States.
Fiscal Year 2009 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System
(SNF PPS) Final Rule

The FY 2009 SNF PPS Final Rule projects that Medicare payment rates for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) will increase by $780 million dollars compared with those in FY 2008. The boost in payments is the result of a 3.4 percent increase in the annual market basket calculation of the cost of goods and services included in a skilled nursing facility stay.
Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, 2008
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 was enacted on July 15, 2008. Key provisions significant to Post Acute Care providers is outlined in this edition of the Pulse.
SPECIAL EDITION PULSE - Update on Therapy Caps
June 27, 2008 special edition
It appears that congress has failed with implementing legislation that will prevent the therapy caps from being reinstituted effective 7/1/08. There is still legislation pending that could change this, but it looks like it will not be voted on in time. There is strong speculation that legislation will be passed after the July 4th recess that could possibly go retro to July 1, 2008.
Therapy Cap Exception Process Update
June 25, 2008 edition
On Tuesday, June 24th, the House voted to pass Medicare Relief legislation that includes extending the therapy cap exception process through December 2009. The House action sets the stage for a vote in the Senate, where reports suggest that a bipartisan compromise agreement is possible.
Exceptions to Therapy Caps Restricted July 1, 2008
June 11, 2008 edition
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 enacted financial limitations on outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services in all settings except services billed by hospital outpatient departments. The 2006 Deficit Reduction Act enacted further exceptions to the limits, and the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Action of 2007 extended the cap exceptions through June 30, 2008.
Assignment of Providers to MACs
May 5, 2008 edition
2008 Medicare Deductible, Coinsurance and Therapy Caps
January 8, 2008
Fiscal Year 2008 OIG Work Plan
October 24, 2007
CMS Issues New Survey Tag F373 - Paid Feeding Assistants
August 23, 2007
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Payment Rates for Fiscal Year 2008
August 10, 2007
Revised F-Tags 323 adnd 324 - Accidents and Hazards
CMS Announces NPI Data Dissemination Policy
June 13, 2007
CMS Proposes SNF Payment Increase for Fiscal Year 2008
May 10, 2007
CMS Issues Contingency Plan for the National Provider Identifier (NPI) Rule
April 11, 2007
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Recommendations to Congress
March 28, 2007
CMS Renames the Medicare/Medicaid Provider Number
March 13, 2007
NPI - Do You Have It? Are You Sharing It? Are You Using It?
February 23, 2007
Part B Therapy Cap Relief for 2007
January 3 , 2007
Physician Fee Schedule 2007 - Final Rule
November 9, 2006
Flu Season is Here -
Are you ready for the New Regulations and Quality Measures?

October 26, 2006
Medicare Nursing Home Payments to Increase in 2007
August 1, 2006
CMS Issues DRAFT Revision to Surveyor Guidance at F-Tag 309 - Pain
July 14, 2006
CMS Issues Guidance for Benefits Exhaust and No-Payment Bills
June 12 , 2006
Who, What, When, Why & How of the National Provider Identifier (NPI)
May 31 , 2006
New, Revised and Draft Guidance to Surveyors Apr. 19, 2006
Therapy Cap Exception Process Feb. 16, 2006
Outpatient Therapy Caps Return for 2006 Jan. 16, 2006
Rehab Plus Extensive Services – Criteria to Achieve and RUG Assignment Anomalies Dec. 16, 2005
Medicare Part D & Its Impact on Nursing Home Surveys Nov. 10, 2005
Revisions to the State Operations Manual for Long Term Care
Oct. 27, 2005
CMS FAQs Related to Hurricane Katrina Sept. 20, 2005
RUG Refinements Posed to Significantly Impact Your 2006 Budget
August 23, 2005
Hepatitis B Transmission in Nursing Homes July 11, 2005
New Independent, Expedited Review Process for SNF Notices of Non-Coverage June 15, 2005
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