(April 28, 2023) – CMS Updates IQR, IPFQR CART
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released updated CMS Abstraction and Reporting Tools for the Inpatient Quality Reporting and Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Quality Reporting programs.
- Inpatient 4.30.1 supports the IQR master code list diagnosis updates and must be used for discharges from April 1 to June 30, 2023. Installation instructions and other resources are available on QualityNet.
- IPFQR version 2.3.0 includes updates to support the calendar year 2023 abstractions. Version 2.3.0 must be used for discharges and events occurring Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023. IPFs are required to report IMM-2 measure data based on discharges from Oct. 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023, during the summer 2023 submission. Therefore, CART IPFQR 2.3.0 must be used to abstract Q1 2023 IMM-2 measure data. Installation and resources are available on QualityNet.
CDC Simplifies COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations Following FDA Authorizations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention simplified recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination following the Food and Drug Administration authorizing changes to the emergency use Authorizatons of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
- Monovalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccines no longer are recommended for use in the U.S.
- Adults age 65 and older, as well as those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, may receive an additional bivalent dose. Health care providers have the flexibility to administer additional bivalent doses to immunocompromised individuals as needed.
- All individuals age six and older should receive one bivalent dose, regardless of the primary series they received. These individuals do not need an additional bivalent dose unless they are over age 65 or are immunocompromised.
- For children under age six, multiple doses continue to be recommended but vary by age and vaccine type (manufacturer and mono/bivalent) that previously was received. However, all should have at least one bivalent dose.
It is anticipated that the CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations soon will be updated to provide additional information.
MACPAC Explores Medicaid Experience and Satisfaction Disparities
Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Payment and Access Commission published a report of the experiences and satisfaction of Medicaid-covered adults by race and ethnicity using data from the 2016-2022 Association of American Medical Colleges Consumer Surveys of Health Care Access. The study finds that 68.1 percent of individuals report having a usual source of care, and more than 80 percent report being able to get care when they needed it, being satisfied with the care they received and having positive experiences with their provider. However, persons of color were more likely to receive care at a clinic, health center or hospital emergency room, and were more likely to report experiencing unfair treatment and discrimination during their most recent medical visit.
MLN Connects Provider eNews Updates
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates to MLN Connects Provider eNews: