Did you know that effective Oct 1, 2004, CMS will increase the payment for AIDS patients by 128%!!!.
This is part of the Medicare Modernization Act signed earlier this year. SEC. 511. PAYMENT FOR COVERED SKILLED NURSING FACILITY SERVICES. (a) ADJUSTMENT TO RUGS FOR AIDS RESIDENTS.-Paragraph (12) of section 1888(e) (42 U.S.C. 1395yy(e)) is amended to read as follows: ''(12) ADJUSTMENT FOR RESIDENTS WITH AIDS.- H. R. 1-234 ''(A) IN GENERAL.-Subject to subparagraph (B), in the case of a resident of a skilled nursing facility who is afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the per diem amount of payment otherwise applicable (determined without regard to any increase under section 101 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, or under section 314(a) of Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000), shall be increased by 128 percent to reflect increased costs associated with such residents. ''(B) SUNSET.-Subparagraph (A) shall not apply on and after such date as the Secretary certifies that there is an appropriate adjustment in the case mix under paragraph (4)(G)(i) to compensate for the increased costs associated with residents described in such subparagraph.''. (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.-The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to services furnished on or after October 1, 2004. For more information click here http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2004/MM3291.pdf Ronald A Orth, RN, NHA, RAC-C National Director of Clinical Reimbursement Extendicare Health Services, Inc. (414) 908-8234 This communication may contain confidential Protected Health Information. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The authorized recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information to any other party unless required to do so by law or regulation and is required to destroy the information after its stated need has been fulfilled. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, coping, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of these documents is strictly prohibited by Federal law. If you have received this information in error, please notify the sender immediately and arrange for the return or destruction of these documents. /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/
