The CDC and CMS announced they will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the transition to the new classification system by implementing new diagnosis codes, hospital inpatient procedure codes and revision of existing code titles. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will test a new payment model for nursing facilities and practitioners to further reduce avoidable hospitalizations and lower Medicare and Medicaid spending while improving patient care. Read More »
The new initiative allows states to request the 90 percent enhanced matching funds to connect more Medicaid providers to a state health information exchange. Read More »
State and federal investigators shut down multiple nursing homes operated by New Beginnings Care, LLC. The company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Read More »
Racial and ethnic minority populations are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days for certain chronic conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is exploring the relationship readmission rates and diversity. Read More »
The 3-day hospital stay rule might be waving goodbye, but the American Health Care Association warns the new CMS proposal would put some nursing homes—and their residents—at a disadvantage. Read More »
James G. Burkhart, former CEO of American Senior Communities LLC, has agreements with Health & Hospital Corporation that could allow him to own 63 nursing homes he used to manage. Read More »
The national healthcare spending growth rate has accelerated for the first time after five years of sluggish growth, according to new annual data from CMS. Read More »
Now that the SGR is history, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is tackling the new value-based payment model. Leading long-term care organizations are playing important roles in advising the new policies. Read More »
The OIG released its Work Plan for fiscal year 2016. Long-term care providers can expect reviews of claims and payment documentation as well as consolidated equipment and pharmaceutical purchases. Read More »
The proposal would affect long-term care hospitals, inpatient facilities and home health agencies that participate in CMS reimbursement programs. Read More »
Congressional and White House leaders reached a late-night federal budget deal that would include across-the-board 2-percent Medicare cuts. Read More »
This year's OPTIMA Award winner, Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, Briarwood, N.Y., has slashed its hospitalizations despite having one of the highest acuity rates in its region. Long-Term Living's Pamela Tabar spent two days visiting the site and learning how the SNF is using collaborative care teams, customized electronic documentation and early-intervention tools to keep its unique resident population out of the hospital. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced that 2,100 participants have moved on to the contract, risk-bearing period of the bundling pilot program. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is partnering with the state of Rhode Island to try out a new model for providing person-centered care to Medicare/Medicaid dual enrollees. Read More »
Overall national healthcare spending is expected to rise by modest amounts during the decade from 2014-2024, notes a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services budget report released today. Read More »
Anthem’s purchase of Cigna constitutes the largest health insurance deal in history, but regulators will be watching closely for impacts on market competition. Read More »
In response to requests from the provider community, CMS is releasing additional guidance that will aim to allow for flexibility in the claims auditing and quality reporting process Read More »
