Accurate discharge disposition is critical to application of the Post-Acute Care Transfer policy because the patient's destination after the acute inpatient stay can determine whether transfer-payment methodology applies.
Qualifying discharges to certain post-acute settings can be subject to transfer-payment rules when other criteria are met. These settings can include skilled nursing facilities and other specified post-acute arrangements, depending on applicable CMS requirements and the MS-DRG involved.
Therefore, an incorrectly documented discharge destination can affect reimbursement even when the diagnoses, procedures, and MS-DRG are otherwise accurate.
The PACT concept demonstrates why CDI and coding accuracy extend beyond diagnosis capture. The inpatient claim also relies on accurate demographic, procedural, discharge-status, and utilization information.
Dietary preference, physician experience, and the number of daily progress notes do not determine whether PACT methodology applies.
CDI specialists should recognize when conflicting documentation exists regarding whether a patient went home, to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, another acute facility, hospice, or another destination and collaborate with the appropriate departments to ensure the final record accurately reflects the actual disposition.
CCDS Reference Topics: PACT; discharge disposition; IPPS transfer rules; reimbursement; data integrity.
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