Skin Integrity

WHY IT MATTERS: MEDICARE

In 2007, Medicare published new guidelines regarding the reimbursement requirements relating to hospital acquired conditions. These changes will take effect in October 2008.

The Ruling

Medicare Ruling – From the Federal Register – CMS-1533-FC
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

download the full document

*The following excerpts taken from Federal Register

Non-Reimbursed Hospital Acquired Conditions

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Vascular-catheter-associated infection

Pressure Ulcers

Surgical site infection

• mediastinitis after coronary artery
bypass graft (CABG) surgery

Serious preventable events

• object left in patient during surgery
• air embolism
• blood incompatibility

Falls and Trauma

• fractures
• dislocations
• intracranial injury
• crushing injury
• burn

MEDICARE IN THE NEWS

August 19, 2007
Medicare Says It Won't Cover Hospital Errors
read full story

February 19, 2008
Medicare won't pay hospital's for errors
read full story

February 18, 2008
Medicare won't pay for serious hospital's errors
read full story

February 18, 2008
No-pay drive gaining steam
read full story

February 18, 2008
Certain hospital errors to be on Medicare's no-pay list
read full story

November 2007
Medicare and Medicaid Service announced that as of: October 2008, it will no longer reimburse hospitals for treating preventable pressure ulcers
read full story

September 5, 2007
Hospitals Combat Dangerous Bedsores
read full story