adminOn July 16, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Reform of Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities. Among many initiatives in this more than 400 page rule is a discussion about Transitions of Care.
The discussion in this section of the rule coincides with an existing project of the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) and Philadelphia County Medical Society (PCMS) to develop a Universal Patient Transfer form as envisioned by Resolution 14-405, which was adopted by the 2014 House of Delegates.
The proposed rule would require that the transferring facility provide necessary information to the resident’s receiving provider, whether it is an acute care hospital, long-term care hospital, psychiatric facility, another LTC facility, hospice, home health agency, or another community-based provider or practitioner.
PAMED and PCMS, working with our partners The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania and long term care organizations, are developing a draft paper form as well as guidelines that could be used for the transfer of information electronically.
CMS is not looking to require a specific form, format, or methodology for this communication. Instead, it is proposing specific data elements or a set of information that must be communicated during the transfer process. Most if not all of these data elements would be found in the draft paper form we are developing and/or contained in the guidelines for the electronic transfer. We are hopeful that the form could serve as the standard transfer form to be used in Pennsylvania.
Once the draft form and guidelines are ready, we will share them with our members so that you can provide your feedback. Be sure to check the Daily Dose for news and updates.