Conditions for Coverage have new requirements
May 18 is deadline for policies and procedures
The new Medicare Conditions for Coverage (CfC), which take effect May 18, 2009, have several changes for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), according to the ASC Association. According to the association, they include:
- A comprehensive history and physical (H&P) must be conducted within 30 days prior to surgery. The H&P must be conducted closer to the date of surgery if required by your state's law, your payer contracts, or your program's policies.
- ASCs must have a disaster preparedness plan. The written plan must be coordinated with state and local authorities, as appropriate. You must hold annual drills and implement changes "promptly."
- ASCs must provide, verbally and in writing, a notice of the patient's rights to the patient or the patient's representative before the date of the procedure. The notice must include several items, including disclosure of the physician financial interest in the ASC, and policies on advance directives. This notice must be in a language and manner that the patient or the representative understands. The patient must be provided with a description of applicable state health and safety laws. If request, the patient must be provided official state advance directive forms.
- ASCs are required to have a grievance procedure. The patient has the right to exercise his or her rights without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal, and the patient has to right to voice grievances.
- ASCs are required to have an infection control program. The program must meet certain requirements, including being under the direction of a designated and qualified professional who has training in infection control. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has launched APIC Consulting Services Inc. (ACSI), a wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of APIC that works with ambulatory and other organizations. For more information, go to www.apicconsulting.com.
- Each patient must be given written discharge instructions and overnight supplies. [Editor's note: Do you have a disaster preparedness plan, patient rights statement, or grievance procedure that you're willing to share with your peers? Contact Joy Daughtery Dickinson at [email protected] or (229) 551-9195.]
Resource
Go to www.ascassociation.org/coverage to examine all of the changes between the existing Conditions for Coverage (CfC) and the revised regulations. View a redline version of the new rule, which shows the changes, at www.ascassociation.org/cfcredline.pdf.
The new Medicare Conditions for Coverage (CfC), which take effect May 18, 2009, have several changes for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), according to the ASC Association. According to the association, they include:Article Limit Reached
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