False Claims Act suit could affect CMS overpayment rule
By
John Hall
Mar 30, 2015
A complex argument over how to identify Medicaid overpayments could be why the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services postponed its pending rule on waiting periods for overpayment resolution, a Washington,...
Providers holding breath for Senate ‘doc fix’ vote
By
John Hall
Mar 27, 2015
As expected, the House of Representatives on Thursday repealed the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), earning loud praise from the American Health Care Association.
2014 a banner year for senior living providers; top lists released
By
John Hall
Mar 28, 2015
Senior living providers had a remarkably positive 2014, marked by record investments and acquisitions, growing occupancy rates and swelling demand, according to the annual analysis of the largest senior...
Non-whites get readmitted more often after joint replacement surgery: Study
By
John Hall
Mar 27, 2015
Non-whites covered by Medicaid and Medicare are significantly more likely to be readmitted to a hospital within 30 days after total joint replacement surgery than whites, according to a new study that...
Government urges Highest Court to pass on nonprofit contraceptive mandate argument
By
John Hall
Mar 26, 2015
Government attorneys are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to not take up the issue of contraception mandates of the Affordable Care Act. A U.S. Court of Appeals has denied a Catholic coalition’s effort...
FDA approves ‘breakthrough’ therapy for diabetic eye disorder
By
John Hall
Mar 26, 2015
The FDA announced Wednesday that it has granted “breakthrough therapy designation” to the drug Eylea, and expanded its approved use for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy in patients with...
Coroner rules odd nursing home death accidental; state findings yet to be released
By
John Hall
Mar 26, 2015
The coroner of St. Clair County, where an 85-year-old resident of a suburban St. Louis nursing home was found dead, strapped to her wheelchair at the bottom of some stairs, ruled Wednesday the death was...
Medicare providers could face up to 100% late tax penalties
By
John Hall
Mar 25, 2015
Praise for Congress for proposing a bill that would reset Medicare physician pay rates could be a little less hearty, after details emerged Tuesday that the measure would also include penalties as high...
More than half of Alzheimer’s patients never learn of diagnosis: Report
By
John Hall
Mar 25, 2015
A new report by the Alzheimer’s Association asserts that fewer than half of Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers ever learn of their diagnosis from a physician, and those who do typically...
Bill would credit observation stays toward ‘three-night rule’
By
John Hall
Mar 24, 2015
A bill introduced in Congress on Monday would count all time that Medicare beneficiaries spend under hospital “observation” status toward the three-day inpatient requirement necessary to receive...