CMS: Demonstration project to reward nursing homes that provide high-quality care
Aug 18, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Monday disclosed positive results from three-so-called pay-for-performance demonstrations at hospitals and physician practices. Now it wants to see if financial...
Durable medical equipment rebidding process to start in October
Aug 05, 2009
The 60-day supplier bidding period for the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) will begin in late October, the Centers for...
Move to improve residents’ quality of life a welcome development
By
Nancy L. Gorman
Aug 04, 2009
Enhanced standards from The Joint Commission complement new guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Both emphasize improving the quality of life of long-term care residents.
Long-term care associations to battle Medicare cuts during congressional recess
Aug 04, 2009
Congress may take a recess this month, but the long-term care community isn’t planning on it. Instead, the associations will be working to urge lawmakers not to cut millions in Medicare payments...
CMS to cut Medicare funding to skilled nursing facilities by $360 million in fiscal year 2010
Aug 03, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services late Friday issued a rule that will cut $360 million in Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities for fiscal year 2010.
**UPDATED** New CMS guidance consolidates five infection control F-tags into one
Jul 23, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released final changes regarding certain guidance governing infection control in long-term care facilities. The formal effective date for the revised...
Five-Star makes complaints against nursing homes even more serious
By
Tyler J. Smith
Jul 06, 2009
Nursing homes have a difficult enough time contending with the survey and certification system. Now that the Five-Star Quality Rating System has begun, they have to work even harder to protect themselves...
Civil Money Penalty funds don’t have to go directly to nursing homes, CMS notes
Jun 26, 2009
A recently released memo from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services clarifies that Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds are not just for nursing homes.