ACMA takes second Important Message from Medicare concerns to CMS
The American Case Management Association (ACMA) CEO Greg Cunningham recently met with CMS officials to discuss the results of the ACMA Public Policy Committee’s survey about the second Important Message from Medicare (IM).
According the ACMA, CMS was “receptive to the feedback.” The results of the survey include the following:
- The majority of respondents (84%) report that case management is responsible for issuing the second IM
- More than half the respondents (59%) report that 10 minutes or less are required to issue each IM
- More than 77% of respondents report that they track IM compliance
- Of those who track IM compliance 40% report a compliance rate between 76% and 100%
- Only 38% of respondents report increased numbers of appeals
- The majority report that less than 25% of patient appeals are successful
- Respondents generally feel the second IM process adds little value to patient care and adds to patient confusion and frustration
Read the full CMS Important Message / Appeal Rights Notification Requirement Survey Findings report.
CMS officials asked the association to gather a prioritized list of the most pressing concerns about the delivery of the second IM. The ACMA and CMS will then work together to address the 10 most pressing issues.
If you would like to contribute your thoughts on the second IM you have two options:
- The ACMA plans to have a dedicated IM forum at the upcoming 2010 NICM/ACMA National Conference in San Antonio. Attendees can use this opurtunity to voice there concerns. The forum will be held April 10 from 7:00-7:45 a.m.
- The ACMA will also accept concerns/recommendations via email. Send messages to tneese@acmaweb.org.
About the Author: Ben Amirault is the editor for the case management market at HCPro. Ben writes and edits the monthly newsletter as well as the weekly e-newsletter. Ben also organizes case management audio conferences and manages the Case Management Mentor blog. To contact him with questions, comments, or to contribute to the blog email bamirault@hcpro.com.
Eileen Boyle RN CM | Mar 9, 2010 | Reply
My experience in giving the 2nd IM to pt.’s has been both time
consuming and ineffectual. Pt’s response has been “Oh another one, I haven’t read the first one yet”. If the first IM is given to the pt or his/her HCP at time of admisson and explained I feel this info is more likely to be retained.
sue packard LISW-S | Mar 17, 2010 | Reply
We consistantly struggle to get this second notice done. When we have patients needing attention for psychosocial problems or discharge planning, this slips to a low priority. We have seen a very slight increase in appeals (often spurred by the hope of getting a three day qualifying stay for SNF purposes) but NOT ONE of the appeals have been successful.
Jerry Christy, RN | Mar 17, 2010 | Reply
Our CM dept is responsible for the IM letters at time of DC; I find the process necessary, however, the responsibility should be shared with staff nurses on the floors. Nurses are available 24/7 to have ownership of the letters, as CM is not available 24/7. This should be primarily a Staff Nurse responsibility at time of DC, to be included as DC teaching; with CM assisting…it does not make logical sense to require ownership of a process from a dept that is not open 24/7.
Alice Morrison | Mar 22, 2010 | Reply
I think the 2nd IM is an absolute waist of time and resources. It serves no purpose whatsoever. Patients are already informed of their right as Medicare recipients when they are admitted and know who to call if there are any issues. Most patients are reluctant to sign the 2nd IM because they report that they already signed it and don’t the need to sign it twice. The logic behind signing it twice is beyond me.
Daric | May 12, 2010 | Reply
I absolutely despise the second IMFM form. This form is a waste of time. Patient’s are frustrated and confused that the government would require the hospital to waste so much paper, time, and energy and this ridiculous follow up form. If anything, this form shows how redundant and ridiculous Medicare can be. This form is a tremendous burden on hospital staff and needs to come to an end and sooner rather than later.