Image of male nurse pushing senior woman in a wheelchair in nursing facility

Federal officials announced two updated quality indicator submission requirements for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) on Thursday.

During a conference call, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials updated data submission requirements for two quality indicators: new or worsening pressure ulcers and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Starting Oct. 1, 2012, providers must submit pressure ulcer data for each Medicare beneficiary using the new version of the IRF-PAI training manual. Data for the CAUTI measure must be submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on all IRF patients, regardless of payor source. The data will be submitted through the National Healthcare Safety Network website.

CMS officials stressed that providers will not be penalized for quality measure performance, but will face consequences if they fail to report.  

Additionally, CMS announced a 2.1% payment increase for over 200 free-standing rehab facilities, as well as nearly 1,000 IRF units of acute care hospitals using the IRF prospective payment system. The rate will apply to services rendered to Medicare beneficiaries beginning with discharges on or after Oct. 1.

Click here for more information about IRF quality reporting.