Berwick’s remarks offer insight into his healthcare worldview
By
Liza Berger
Nov 19, 2010
Dr. Donald Berwick of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may not have said enough to satisfy some members of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, but he arguably presented some pretty defined...
The growing cost of compliance in long-term care
By
Michael K. Loucks
Nov 09, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will expand compliance-related regulations for skilled nursing facilities.
CMS says repeal of RUG-IV delay still possible, to relax MDS transmission rules
Oct 29, 2010
Federal regulators said Thursday they are hoping that Congress will act by the end of the year to keep in place full-time what is now being called a provisional RUG-IV nursing home Medicare payment system....
Hospitals with dedicated ERs for seniors look to improve care and prevent readmissions
Oct 27, 2010
Hospitals in Southeast Michigan have been rolling out new emergency rooms catering exclusively to older adults. Built partly in anticipation of a ballooning senior citizen population in coming years, these...
Medicare demonstration project to cover hospice, curative care
Sep 08, 2010
The Medicare program is gearing up to begin a 15-site demonstration project that will provide both hospice care and life-sustaining treatments to Medicare beneficiaries, according to recent reports.
Medicare less effective for younger disabled than for older population
Aug 16, 2010
Besides the millions of older recipients on Medicare, more than 8 million younger, disabled individuals receive benefits. But a new report finds that the system doesn’t work as well for the younger...
Medicare physician pay cut contributes to growing trend of patient refusals
Jun 22, 2010
Many physicians have begun to limit the number of new Medicare patients they accept following Friday’s imposition of a 21% reimbursement cut, but these new patient refusals are just the latest in...
New Medicare payment board to play role in lowering deficit, Orszag says
Apr 12, 2010
An Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) established under the healthcare reform act will help to ensure the nation’s future fiscal health, Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag...
New law strives to keep older adults at home
By
Liza Berger
Mar 31, 2010
When you read between the lines of the healthcare reform law, its general intent becomes clear: The law is about increasing home- and community-based services (HCBS), and improving wellness and prevention.
CMS plans to reorganize, establishing new positions, offices
Mar 19, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing some major structural changes, according to an internal agency e-mail recently obtained by the National Association for the Support of Long Term...