Federal judge to troubled operator: Exhaust other options before you make a federal case
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 11, 2013
A facility with a history of safety deficiencies must exhaust its administrative options before seeking relief in the courtroom, a district court judge ruled. Moreover, the requested temporary injunction...
Data mandated for dual eligibles outlined as states move to managed care
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jun 10, 2013
Dual eligible managed care plans involved in an upcoming Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services demonstration project will need to submit data in a variety of areas, the agency explained in a draft statement...
RACs push back against audit improvement bills
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 06, 2013
An advocacy group for independent Medicare auditors has sharply criticized two bills that would put new controls on Recovery Audit Contractors. The Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013 was introduced...
HealthMEDX unveils pharmacy exchange
Jun 05, 2013
HealthMEDX recently announced that its pharmacy exchange is now available.
Safety commission weighs petitions for total bed-rail ban, seeks input
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 05, 2013
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has merged two petitions calling for a total ban on adult bed rails and will accept comments on the matter through Aug. 5, according to an entry in Tuesday’s...
ITUpdate
Jun 01, 2013
EHR problems are “worse than we know,” a new report from the ECRI Institute contends. Transitioning from paper to electronic health records is creating problems, and “we’re only...
CMS to revise audit practices
By
John O'Connor
Jun 01, 2013
Here’s the good news for providers dealing with Recovery Audit Program contractors: The federal government will make fewer additional document requests, starting this month. Now the not-so-good news:...
Government officials released good news about the long-term solvency of the Medicare program Friday. The projections were based in large measure on lower projected reimbursements for skilled nursing facilities.
SNF margins cut in half, Alliance report says
By
McKnight's Staff
May 31, 2013
With income margins decimated by Medicare and Medicaid cuts and access to capital strangled, skilled nursing facilities will be unable to care for the nation’s booming senior population unless changes...
CMS updates survey guidelines for antipsychotic drugs in dementia care
By
McKnight's Staff
May 31, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated survey guidelines regarding nursing homes’ use of antipsychotic medications for dementia care. The 59-page interim guidance revises Appendix...