The government is expanding its research into alternative therapy payments, to consider more holistic changes to the way Medicare reimburses skilled nursing facilities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
CMS and providers have reason to celebrate
By
Elizabeth Newman
Sep 16, 2016
I encourage providers to pause and pat themselves on the back. That’s because 30-day hospital readmission rates have dropped in all states except one over the past five years.
Therapy caps back on as Congress delays action
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 04, 2018
Therapy caps are back on for now, even though Congress may still be prepared to eliminate them in 2018.
How to avoid end-of-therapy pitfalls
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Oct 28, 2011
You are not required to offer therapy services on weekends under new MDS 3.0 changes instituted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. But you do have to be careful if you don’t.
Ask the payment expert
By
Patricia Boyer
May 01, 2008
I understand that many facilities are being cited during state surveys for not following standards of clinical practice. That citation is frequently cross-referenced to the assessment process. What can...
CMS must refine data on antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes, OIG says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 07, 2021
The Minimum Data Set should not be CMS’ sole source for determining the number of nursing home residents using antipsychotic drugs, according to a new report from HHS’ Office of the Inspector General.
Why be optimistic when anxiety is an option?
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 06, 2014
Depending on how you like to interpret the news, nursing home operators are either facing some of the worst of times, or they’ve been infused with new life.
CMS: Calculations for nursing home inspection ratings will resume in late January
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 07, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will resume calculating nursing homes’ health inspection ratings starting on Jan. 27, 2021, the agency announced in a memo Friday.
Nursing homes expected to miss 15% antipsychotic reduction goal, but officials focus on progress
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 20, 2013
Skilled nursing facilities are making progress in reducing the off-label use of antipsychotics but are expected to fall far short of an overall 15% reduction goal.
Feds restart regular survey inspections at nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 18, 2020
Regular surveys are resuming for long-term providers after being suspended for nearly five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.