Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials are finalizing details for three Medicare pilot programs set to begin this year, agency officials announced.
Providers give quick rebuke to White House budget plan
By
John O'Connor
Mar 01, 2012
President Obama’s 2013 budget plan received a cool reception from the provider community. The collective criticism is that the $3.8 trillion blueprint lacks fairness and vision.
Criticize labor board for ‘microwave’ rule
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 03, 2012
The National Labor Relations Board drew criticism for its “microwave” rule vote in November. Opponents say the provision doesn’t allow employers enough time to discuss unionization with...
CMS set to move on interim RUG-IV plan
By
Liza Berger
Sep 01, 2010
At press time, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was preparing, to implement its interim Resource Utilization Group-Version 4 (RUG-IV) system Oct. 1.
Senators want to know more about nursing home ratings
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 05, 2015
The Government Accountability Office is becoming well-versed at digging into the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ nursing home ratings system.
Why are Medicare cuts bad? Industry has a billion reasons
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 01, 2009
Billions of dollars worth of unintended costs and consequences could be the fallout if the government follows through with a proposal to cut Medicare payments by $1.05 billion next year, nursing home advocates...
Lawmakers take aim at arbitration pacts
By
James M. Berklan
May 01, 2008
A new Senate bill seeks to eliminate providers’ ability to bind residents to pre-dispute arbitration agreements.
Medicare days tapering off?
By
John O'Connor
Apr 08, 2018
Medicare beneficiaries are spending 15% fewer per-capita days in skilled nursing facilities since 2009, according to a new analysis. The trend likely reflects a drop in days in hospitals — whose practices...
Medicare payment group changes name
By
John O'Connor
Apr 06, 2015
A Medicare payment watchdog group saddled with huge case backlogs and heavily criticized for causing delays in resolving reimbursement issues has changed its name and location on the web.
Rate drops for antipsychotics
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 04, 2015
Industry leaders were pleasantly surprised to learn that nursing home operators had exceeded goals for lowering unnecessary antipsychotics use. The level dropped by nearly 20% over a three-year span.