Providers and the professional associations advocating on their behalf may be focused on the sustainable growth rate and related issues, but a new survey finds that Medicare beneficiaries are more concerned about potential cost increases and service cuts. Read More »
Increasing the scope of practice for ABRNs and PAs who work in home healthcare, and reimbursing for HCBS for low-income, Medicare-only beneficiaries who need help with two or more ADLs, are the goals of two bipartisan bills introduced in Congress. Read More »
The National Transitions of Care Coalition launches an online database of applications, tools and educational resources for improving care transitions and quality outcomes. Read More »
A recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General identifies more than 25 ways that government agencies and programs could save money or improve quality. Read More »
The 2016 rates for Medicare Advantage plans won't be a dismal as predicted, according to final rate adjustments released today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More »
As the U.S. Senate continues its spring recess, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clarified what actions it will take until mid-April. Several provisions that may be addressed by passage of a “doc fix” bill expired today. Read More »
Top leaders in healthcare policy discuss how to change the culture of dying to one driven by residents instead of physicians—and how to find more insurance models to pay for hospice and palliative care. Read More »
Patients’ time under “observation status” would count toward the requisite three-day hospital stay for coverage of skilled nursing care under legislation introduced by four senators. Read More »
The Bundling and Coordinating Post-Acute Care (BACPAC) Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in an effort to coordinate care delivery and realize savings related to Medicare beneficiaries. Read More »
The government’s healthcare fraud prevention and enforcement efforts recovered $3.3 billion in fiscal year 2014 from individuals and companies that attempted to defraud federal health programs serving seniors and others, according to a new report. Read More »
After years of failed efforts, a congressional bill proposing a permanent solution to the "doc-fix" problem is gaining the support of one of long-term care's largest and most powerful organizations. Read More »
Changes to Medicare proposed in President Barack Obama’s 2016 budget would decrease federal spending by $240 billion over the 10-year projection period, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. Read More »
The Medicare program could have saved $4.1 billion over 6 years if it had reimbursed for swing-bed services at critical access hospital using the lower skilled nursing facility prospective payment system rates paid for similar services at alternative facilities, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Read More »
Senate and House leaders have introduced legislation to replace the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula tied to physician compensation, but organizations representing aging services providers are expressing concerns related to Medicare therapy caps and payment cuts to providers of post-acute care. Read More »
A bill approved by the House would require hospitals to notify Medicare beneficiaries of their outpatient status within 36 hours after the time of their classification or, if sooner, on discharge. Read More »
The Pharmacy Quality Alliance and AllazoHealth have formed a formal research partnership to study and improve industry-wide medication adherence metrics. Read More »
Five groups advocating for residents of nursing homes say they “strongly support” the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ announced changes to its five-star rating system of the homes. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says it has found little evidence to support or refute the possibility that the use of quality measures has had unintended consequences in nursing homes and other settings. Read More »
Restoring Medicaid funding, improving Medicaid managed long-term care and protecting seniors from unexpected medical bills are the three legislative priorities set by the Florida Health Care Association for 2015, the organization has announced. Read More »
Assisted living communities and home health agencies will be some of the next frontiers for the federal government’s efforts to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications in those with dementia, following a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office. Read More »
Two recent fires—one a tragedy, one a triumph—prove the wisdom of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate to require sprinkler systems in skilled nursing facilities. Read More »
An examination of recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nursing Home Compare data generates disturbing insights on the number of fines levied on skilled nursing facilities. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has posted information explaining the changes to its five-star nursing home rating system, which you can use to help educate prospective residents and their families. Read More »
