Q: While reviewing the FY 2022 SNF PPS final rule, I noticed there are currently 13 Quality Measures adopted for FY 2022 SNF QRP, including Transfer of Health Information to the Provider and Patient. Where can I find more information?
A: The Transfer of Health Information to the Patient measure assesses for and reports on the timely transfer of health information, specifically transfer of a medication list.
The measure is calculated by one standardized data element that asks, “At the time of discharge, did the facility provide the resident’s current reconciled medication list to the resident, family, and/or caregiver?” The discharge location will be captured by items on the MDS.
The MDS does not currently have all applicable items to collect data for the Transfer of Health Information measures. In response to the public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released an Interim Final Rule delaying the compliance date, which has caused some confusion surrounding data collection and reporting periods for these measures.
CMS acknowledges that the current version of the MDS does not include the necessary data elements and has delayed data collection for certain SNF QRP items until the Oct. 1 date that is at least two full fiscal years after the end of the PHE for COVID-19.
MDS (v1.18.1) will be pushed back and follow the same timeline.
CMS is making TOH-Patient measure denominator specification changes effective FY 2023 to exclude discharges home under the care of an organized home health service organization or hospice and have the measure updates in place in anticipation of the end of the PHE.
From the November 2021 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
