Frequently Asked Questions are used to provide additional information and/or statutory guidance not found in State Medicaid Director Letters, State Health Official Letters, or CMCS Informational Bulletins. The different sets of FAQs as originally released can be accessed below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the data elements comprising the falls risk assessment need to be documented as part of a comprehensive assessment?
No. Although a comprehensive assessment may include falls risk assessment elements, this measure does not require the risk assessment elements to be documented as part of a comprehensive assessment. For this measure, a falls risk assessment is considered complete if the member record includes any documentation of a balance/gait assessment, and documentation of assessment of postural blood pressure, vision, home fall hazards, and/or medications.
FAQ ID:88961
SHARE URLDo the components of the risk assessment need to be completed during a single encounter?
No, the components can be completed during separate encounters, provided they are documented in the member record as having been performed between August 1 of the year prior to the measurement year and December 31 of the measurement year.
FAQ ID:88966
SHARE URLIs a standardized tool required for assessment of balance/gait?
No, a standardized tool is not required, although documentation of use of a standardized tool (for example, Get Up & Go, Berg, Tinetti) would meet the balance/gait assessment component of the measure.
FAQ ID:88971
SHARE URLCan the same standardized tool be used to conduct screening (Part 1) and risk assessment (Part 2)?
Yes, the same tool may be used to conduct the screening and risk assessment for the Screening, Risk Assessment, and Plan of Care to Prevent Future Falls measure.
FAQ ID:88986
SHARE URLDo the data elements comprising the plan of care to prevent future falls need to be documented as part of a comprehensive care plan?
No. Although a comprehensive care plan may include the elements comprising a plan of care to prevent future falls, the measure does not require the plan of care elements to be documented as part of a comprehensive care plan. For this measure, a plan of care is considered complete if the member record includes any documentation of exercise therapy or referral to exercise between August 1 of the year prior to the measurement year and December 31 of the measurement year.
FAQ ID:88991
SHARE URLShould the rate of required exclusions be reported with the Screening, Risk Assessment, and Plan of Care to Prevent Future Falls measure's Part 2 performance rate?
Yes, the rate of exclusion for members who refused an assessment and/or a plan of care needs to be reported with the measure’s performance rate.
FAQ ID:88996
SHARE URLCan the same sample for Part 2 of the Screening, Risk Assessment, and Plan of Care to Prevent Future Falls measure be used for other measures?
No, the sample for Part 2 of the Screening, Risk Assessment, and Plan of Care to Prevent Future Falls measure is different from the systematic sample used for the LTSS Comprehensive Assessment and Update, LTSS Comprehensive Care Plan and Update, LTSS Shared Care Plan with Primary Care Practitioner, and Part 1 of the Screening, Risk Assessment, and Plan of Care to Prevent Future Falls measures. Members included in the sample for Part 2 of this measure must have a documented history of falls (at least two falls or one fall with injury in the past year), including documentation of plan member self-reported history of falls.
FAQ ID:89001
SHARE URLWhen will the Basic Health Program be operational?
Given the scope of the coverage changes that states and the federal government will be implementing on January 1, 2014, and the value of building on the experience that will be gained from those changes, HHS expects to issue proposed rules regarding the Basic Health Program for comment in 2013 and final guidance in 2014, so that the program will be operational beginning in 2015 for states interested in pursuing this option.
Supplemental Links:
- This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 135.35 KB)
FAQ ID:92141
SHARE URLWhat approaches are available to states that are interested in the Basic Health Program in the interim?
HHS is working with states that are interested in the concepts included in the Basic Health Program option to identify similar flexibilities to design coverage systems for 2014, such as continuity of coverage as individuals' income changes. Specifically, we have outlined options to states related to using Medicaid funds to purchase coverage through a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) on the Marketplace for Medicaid beneficiaries (PDF, 242.79 KB). Additionally, some states with current Medicaid adult coverage expansions are considering offering additional types of assistance with premiums to individuals who will be enrolled in QHPs through the Marketplace. HHS will review all such ideas.
Supplemental Links:
- This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 135.35 KB)
FAQ ID:92146
SHARE URLProviders are permitted to charge a copay for a member's office visit. This visit may include a variety of services including preventive and non-preventive services. The State Medical Director (SMD) letter indicates the enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) is available if cost-sharing is eliminated for preventive services. We believe this to mean that the doctor cannot collect a copay for any visit in which preventive services are provided, regardless of whether the majority of services provided during the visit are non-preventive services. We would like CMS verification.
If the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) grade A or B service is an integral part of the office visit that includes other services, and will not be billed separately, the state may permit providers to charge a copay for the office visit, as the office visit is not eligible for the one percentage point FMAP increase. If the USPSTF grade A or B service is billed separately, or is the only service furnished during the office visit, the state may not permit the provider to charge a copay. The state should work with providers to establish the appropriate billing codes and claims processing guidelines for these situations.
Supplemental Links:
FAQ ID:92121
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