FIVE NEW REGULATIONS TO WATCH FOR IN 2018: CMS REIMBURSEMENT

As the end-of-year countdown begins, we’re looking at changes that will impact the wound care industry in 2018. For the next several weeks, we’ll be running a series of insightful blog posts from our team of experts. Our first is from Rylan Smith, CFO.

 

Fall brings vibrant colors, homemade chili, championship baseball – and new CMS regulations for reimbursement! In reviewing upcoming changes for 2018, here are five takeaways that wound centers need to be aware of:

 

Supervision of hospital therapy services for critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals will reinstate the non-enforcement of supervision requirements. In the 2018 OPPS proposed rule, CMS revisits the moratorium on enforcement of the direct supervision rule for critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals with less than 100 beds. This is a positive development for these hospitals, because physician time is at a premium. The implication for hyperbarics is that it provides for some flexibility with direct supervision. We at Wound Care Advantage always recommend having a physician immediately available when a patient is in the chamber. This rule will extend the moratorium through 2019 … read more