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...
Proposed legislation from the House of Representatives would decrease skilled nursing facilities’ Medicare rate updates, introduce new post-acute payment systems and institute readmissions penalties...
CMS final rule: SNFs to receive $30 million less in Medicare payments than initially proposed
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 02, 2013
A Medicare payment rate update will increase aggregate skilled nursing facility reimbursements by $470 million during fiscal year 2014, according to a final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
Florida’s top LTC ombudsman placed under ‘virtual house arrest,’ state investigates...
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 01, 2013
The leader of Florida’s long-term care ombudsman program is under investigation and has been placed on administrative leave under strict conditions, according to local reports. Harold J. Crochet...
COMS adds Outcomes IQ
Jul 31, 2013
COMS Interactive LLC has introduced an additional software module called Outcomes IQ™.
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...
Bold legislative proposals could prevent deep reimbursement cuts, AHCA leader says
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 26, 2013
Long-term care providers are offering lawmakers policy ideas aligned with the changing healthcare landscape in the United States, in an effort to control costs and improve quality while avoiding slashed...
Government agency calls off effort to assess antipsychotic use in nursing homes, watchdog group reports
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 26, 2013
A government investigation into nursing homes’ antipsychotic prescribing practices will not move forward due to budget and staff cuts, according to nonprofit investigative news organization The Center...
Release of new EMAR
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jul 17, 2013
Optimus EMR has released its second generation EMAR, a module for patient care used constantly for medication delivery and related activities.
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...