CMS to post new nursing home Five-Star Quality Ratings
May 22, 2009
Nursing homes’ newly updated star ratings will be made public Thursday on the Nursing Home Compare Web site. Providers have had since Wednesday to review their status and communicate any necessary...
CMS wants burdens eased
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 01, 2013
Providers will have their say about the future of Medicare Administrative Contractors.
CMS clarifies long-term care quality review in managed care models
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 23, 2013
Noting that long-term care increasingly is being provided through Medicaid managed care plans, the government has released guidance on how to monitor the quality of care in these systems.
CMS work group recommends approach for employing former criminals in long-term care settings
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 19, 2013
Long-term care providers and states should agree on what a “direct access employee” is and whether that person has a criminal conviction that should keep him or her from working in a nursing...
Regulators expected to rescind physician signature requirement for lab requisition forms
Feb 15, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has indicated that it might rescind a rule that requires physician signatures on requisitions for all clinical laboratory tests paid for by Medicare, as part...
Report: Long-term care providers pay the price for CMS’ poor auditor oversight
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 14, 2014
Long-term care and other providers could be facing unfair burdens due to ineffective government oversight of Medicare auditors, according to a new report from a federal watchdog agency.
Failure to prepare for MDS updates in the next 10 days could be costly, expert warns
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 21, 2012
If skilled nursing facilities are not prepared for the MDS 3.0 changes that will go into effect April 1, 2012, the consequences could be expensive, a top expert warned Wednesday.
Providers refocus on 15% drug reduction
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2013
Skilled nursing providers fell short of reaching a 15% reduction in off-label antipsychotic use by the end of 2012, the American Health Care Association formally announced last month. However, AHCA did...
Low-quality Medicare Advantage plans should expect scrutiny, CMS says
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 13, 2012
Medicare Advantage plans with fewer than five stars on the quality scale should expect some form of audit, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid official said this week.
Special national conference call on IMPACT Act Thursday
Sep 21, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is hosting a special Open Door Forum conference call on the IMPACT Act at 2 p.m. ET Thursday.