Federal regulators have added another layer of bureaucracy for hospice providers operating within skilled nursing facilities.
CMS issues guidance on incomplete, unsubmitted MDS discharge assessments
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 27, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clarified steps providers must take to comply with Minimum Data Set requirements regarding incomplete or unsubmitted discharge assessments.
Advancing Excellence unveils new goals, including resident mobility, infection management
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 21, 2013
The Advancing Excellence campaign has released updated goals and called on nursing homes to actively use the framework for achieving better quality care.
CMS releases reference chart for new therapy-related G-codes
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 16, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a reference chart listing the new G-codes needed for outpatient therapy services claims under the Medicare fee-for-service program.
AHCA: Changing QIO structure would compromise skilled care
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 14, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should preserve state-based quality improvement organizations for Medicare oversight, according to a large number of healthcare groups, including the American...
Hospital, nursing home information sharing to become ‘routine,’ government agencies say
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 09, 2013
As sharing of electronic health information becomes standard across all care settings, using technology may become a prerequisite for providers to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, according...
Post-acute care largely explains geographic differences in Medicare spending, report affirms
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 29, 2013
Geographic variances in post-acute care largely account for differences in Medicare spending patterns, supporting healthcare reform measures that encourage better acute and post-acute coordination, according...
Nursing home residents are allowed to designate organizations as authorized representatives for Medicaid...
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 16, 2013
In the final rule, CMS confirmed that organizations may serve as representatives, specifically citing the needs of nursing home residents who do not have family available for assistance. The rule also...
Government report describes bungled manual review process for therapy claims
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 12, 2013
There was no timely guidance for therapy contractors from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office. That resulted in a struggle...
CMS to offer more detailed nursing home data, memo states
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 02, 2013
Users of the Nursing Home Compare website will soon be able to access and download more detailed data, including newly available information about inspections, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...