Social Work Blog Social work updates from NASW
On July 7, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule of the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) that announced proposed policy and practice changes for Medicare Part B payments beginning January 1, 2023. The proposed changes may impact social workers and other Medicare providers in various settings. The proposed rule also looks to solicit comments ... Read More »
Tag Archives: medicare
National Report Addresses Nursing Home Quality & Promotes Value of Social Work
Posted April 22, 2022 On April 6, 2022, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a report entitled The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality: Honoring Our Commitment to Residents, Families, and Staff. The report represents the culmination of 18 months of work by a study committee that included NASW Social Work Pioneer® and Wisconsin Chapter ... Read More »
Update: Nursing Home Visitation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted January 28, 2022, and revised February 10, 2022 This post updates information provided in a Social Work Blog post of December 17, 2021. The January 28, 2022, post was revised on February 10, 2022, to reflect changes since publication. Following its November 12 release of guidance for nursing home visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS released three versions of ... Read More »
Federal Rule to Prevent Surprise Health Care Billing
See the “No Surprises Act Regulations 2022” page on Socialworkers.org Alert: Information in this blog post was updated on January 5, 2022 NASW will continue to monitor policy developments pertaining to surprise billing and update members as new information is made available. See January 5, 2022 update. Application to Clinical Social Work Services December 21, 2021 Under a new federal ... Read More »
CMS Updates Guidance for Nursing Home Visitation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted December 17, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on nursing home residents, families, and staff. Limitations on visits from family (as defined by each resident), other personal guests, and even certain service providers (such as hospice personnel and long-term care ombudsmen) have drastically exacerbated loneliness and social isolation among residents. Recognizing the physical and emotional toll ... Read More »
Medicare Open Enrollment: What’s New for 2022 and How You Can Help Your Clients
Posted November 12, 2021 Each fall, Medicare beneficiaries can review, compare, and change their coverage options during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP). The OEP, sometimes known as the annual election period, began on October 15 and ends on December 7. Changes made during the OEP affect coverage between January 1 and December 31, 2022. (The Medicare OEP is distinct ... Read More »
(CY) 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule: Key Provisions Impacting Clinical Social Workers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed CY 2022 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) issued on July 16 includes a variety of provisions that are relevant to clinical social workers (CSWs) who are participating providers in Medicare. These provisions are outlined below and cover a number of areas, including but not limited to telehealth, the Quality Payment Program (QPP) ... Read More »
Medicare Open Enrollment Ends December 7
By Chris Herman, MSW, LICSW Senior Practice Associate–Aging, NASW The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) ends on December 7. Seeking tips on enrollment for your clients, family members, or yourself? This blog provides a brief overview and links to multiple resources. During the OEP, Medicare beneficiaries can review, compare, and switch their prescription drug (Part D) and ... Read More »
NASW joins physician and health care provider groups in protesting new final 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has joined other organizations in criticizing the final 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services failed to provide relief from a significant shift in physician and non-physician payments expected to take effect on January 1, 2021. The cuts scheduled to go into effect will severely hamper the delivery of health ... Read More »
Voice your opposition now to stop Social Worker payment cuts!
September 25, 2019 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed two reductions in reimbursement for clinical social workers (CSWs) who are Medicare providers. These proposed cuts include a four percent cut in 2020 for code revisions or a seven percent cut in 2021 to increase reimbursement for evaluation and management (E/M) services which are provided by physicians, ... Read More »