CMS Proposes To Scrap IRFs' Face-To-Face Requirement, Ease Quality Reporting

CMS is floating the idea of removing the face-to-face requirement for rehabilitation physician visits and making other coverage changes as part of a proposed fiscal 2019 pay rule that would hike inpatient rehabilitation facilities' net pay by 0.9 percent compared to fiscal 2018. The agency also proposes to scrap two measures -- Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus Infection and seasonal flu vaccinations -- from the IRF quality reporting program starting Oct. 1 of this year. CMS says many of the proposed...