2/28+ CMS Extends QIP Data Deadline

CMS has extended the QIP deadline for entering EQRS Clinical Data, Clinical Depression Screening, and ICH CAHPS Attestations for all months of 2021 into EQRS from February 28, 2022 till March 31, 2022, including all modalities and submission methods. The deadline for entering EQRS Clinical Data for January and February 2022 has also been extended, until May 31, 2022. CMS strongly recommends that large data batches be submitted and audited prior to deadlines. For full details see https://mycrownweb.org/2022/02/2021-and-2022-eqrs-data-submission-deadline-extension/. Refer questions and problems to the QualityNet Service Center Monday-Friday 5am-5pm Pacific Time, at 866-288-8912 or qnetsupport-esrd@hcqis.org.

Mental Health Bulletin Board

Social workers have shared with the Network that some dialysis patients are reluctant to disclose or discuss their depression or other mental health concerns. One way to address this is to provide psychological education via a mental health-themed bulletin board. The following downloadable patient-focused materials have been reviewed and recommended by ESRD Network 16 advisors as good candidates for a facility Mental Health Bulletin Board:

• Alliant Health Solutions:
  • Zone Tool: Self-Management for Depression, https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/alliant-zone-tool-depression-508.pdf.
  • Relax, Refresh… Reset (English), https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/alliant-relax-refresh-reset-flyer.pdf.
  • Relájate, Refresca, ¡Restablecimiento! (Spanish), https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/alliant-relax-refresh-reset-flyer-spanish.pdf.

• National Forum of ESRD Networks, Dialysis Patient Depression Toolkit in English and Spanish, https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/natl-forum-esrd-networks-depression-toolkit.pdf.

• Comagine Health ESRD Network 16, Warmline Directory for the Pacific Northwest States, https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/comagine-esrd-warmline.pdf.

• National Institute for Mental Health, My Mental Health: Do I Need Help? – https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/nih-my-mental-health-508.pdf.

• Anxiety & Depression Association of America, How to Deal with Stress and Anxiety, https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/adaa-stress-anxiety-tips.pdf.

2/18+ PY2022 PSRs and PSCs

CMS has announced that PSRs and PSCs for ESRD QIP PY2022 will be available for download from EQRS on and after February 18, 2022. Thanks to COVID-19, the PY2022 QIP contains too many complications to include here; find full details at https://mycrownweb.org/2022/02/esrd-qip-py-2022-final-psrs-and-pscs-available-on-february-18-2022/. No dialysis facility will receive a reimbursement reduction for PY2022. Even if a PSC shows your TPS as “N/A,” facilities are still required to download, save a digital copy, print, and post both the English and Spanish versions in a prominent patient area, within 15 business days of their availability. They must remain posted through the end of 2022.

February-March Webinars and Notices

• Forum Be A Superhero poster promoting Vaccine and Boosters for Facilities and Others. In English and Spanish. Illustrated below. Download from https://esrdnetworks.org/resources-news/covid-19-information-resources/resources-for-kidney-patients/.

• January 1-March 31, 2022 for Patients: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period for switching or leaving MA plans, https://www.medicareadvantage.com/medicare-enrollment.

• February 2022 for Facility Staff: FMC Global Medical Office Courses for February. Find details and register at https://custom.cvent.com/0C5715850B334257947E1386198E9836/files/37d0e152f82941f586ac8681b659e0e2.pdf.

• February 15, 2022 for Facility Staff: EQRS New User Training. Find details and register at https://mycrownweb.org/pcw_lems/february-2022-new-user-training/.

• February 17, 2022 for Patients: Employment Options Webinar on Resumes That Get You Hired! Find details and register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GgxyXP7hQbiTg5zb4opx1g?utm_medium=Link&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=NewsWebinarFeb2022GM.

• February 25, 2022 for Clinicians: Feedback due on Revision of KDIGO Hepatitis C in CKD Guidelines. Find details and comment form at https://kdigo.org/guidelines/hepatitis-c-in-ckd/.

• March 1, 2022 for Facility Staff: Registration Opens for 2022 International Conference on Dialysis to be held September 20-23, in person and online, by the Renal Research Institute. Find details and register at https://web.cvent.com/event/b94b5aee-2ef3-4206-b769-8ea5796e6c6b/summary.

• March 3-4, 2022 for Renal Dietitians: NWRD Annual Conference, online. Find details and register at https://www.nwrdonline.org/conference-overview.

• March 4, 2022 for Providers: Feedback due on Proposed CMS CY2023 Rates: CMS has published Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Medicare Advantage Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies for CY2023. CMS will accept comments on this through March 4, 2022, and and plans to publish the final Rate Announcement by April 4, 2022. Find the Fact Sheet at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2023-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-advance-notice-fact-sheet.

• March 11, 2022 for Clinicians: Feedback Due on Revision of KDIGO CKD Evaluation and Management Guidelines. Find details and comment form at https://kdigo.org/guidelines/ckd-evaluation-and-management/.

• March 13-19, 2022 for Everyone: Patient Safety Awareness Week. For details and to download a toolkit, see https://forward.centerforpatientsafety.org/patient-safety-awareness-week-psaw.

• March 31, 2022 for Patients: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period ends for switching or leaving MA plans, https://www.medicareadvantage.com/medicare-enrollment.