CMS: Hospices to receive $180 million more from Medicare next year
By
McKnight's Staff
May 01, 2013
Hospices will reap a 1.1% increase in Medicare payments in fiscal year 2014, according to a proposed rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
New calculation method would reduce readmissions penalties, CMS says
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 30, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed changing the way hospital readmission penalties are calculated as part of its 2014 Medicare rate update. Potential readmissions penalties for long-term...
Certain Honeywell fire alarms should be replaced or inspected, AHCA advises
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 30, 2013
Long-term care operators should be aware of potential defects affecting certain fire alarms manufactured by Honeywell, the American Health Care Association stated Monday.
Nursing home robots could come soon, if Japanese government funding pays off
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 30, 2013
The government of Japan will fund the development of four different kinds of robots that could perform essential tasks in nursing homes, the Japan Daily Press reported Monday.
Make CMS audits less burdensome, providers urge lawmakers
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 29, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could take a variety of steps to make audits less burdensome, healthcare providers stated in white papers submitted to members of the Senate Finance Committee....
Deadline for HITECH disclosure rule is now ‘fluid,’ federal official says
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 29, 2013
A controversial “accounting of disclosures” provision of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act will probably not be finalized before the scheduled...
Settlement in National Health Investors case will liquidate nonprofit operators, pump $40 million to...
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 29, 2013
A real estate investment trust that allegedly engaged in questionable sales transactions with nonprofit operators recently settled with the state of Tennessee, which will lead to a $40 million payday for...
HHS wants $10 million potential payday for Medicare fraud whistleblowers
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 26, 2013
The Department of Health and Human Services is trying to encourage Medicare fraud whistleblowers by substantially increasing their potential reward. The current maximum award of $1,000 would go up to $9.9...
Nursing homes should think twice before submitting a plan of correction, court ruling suggests
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 26, 2013
Nursing homes that dispute a deficiency citation without Immediate Jeopardy and want it stricken from public record should consider withholding a plan of correction (POC), according to a recent federal...
Updated government guidelines may help with diverse resident populations
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 26, 2013
The Department of Health and Human Services has updated its national standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS), providing an enhanced tool for long-term care providers serving...