The 2018 OPPS proposed rule is one of the shortest, and latest, in recent memory being released July 13 at only 663 pages, but it contains major proposed policy changes for the 340B drug discount program, new modifiers, and expands packaging to drug administration for the first time.
The Joint Commission continues to provide excellent resources to help healthcare organizations stay ready for surveys, as well as resources that help them meet and understand the intent of standards and elements of performance.
The display copy of the Quality Payment Program proposed rule was released in June, and you can think of this rule as a companion to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that typically comes out with the OPPS rule. That means both rules need to be read, understood, and, ideally, commented on by providers.
Q. Is it a HIPAA violation if a hospital receives a faxed Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) request and the hospital cannot identify the patient by full name, last name, or birthdate?
