New hospice comparison tool uses government info, Washington Post calls for more transparency
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 28, 2014
In the absence of a hospice consumer guide from the government, The Washington Post has created one using available Medicare data. The newspaper unveiled the quality tool Sunday, in an article criticizing...
Maryland mandates end-of-life wishes form for LTC residents
Oct 11, 2011
Maryland healthcare professionals will soon be required to complete a form outlining a patient’s end-of-life wishes upon admission to a long-term care facility, according to a new regulation.
Hospice settles HIPAA case for $50,000
By
Elizabeth Newman
Feb 01, 2013
A stolen laptop has resulted in an Idaho hospice organization paying the Department of Health and Human Services $50,000.
Medicare demonstration project to cover hospice, curative care
Sep 08, 2010
The Medicare program is gearing up to begin a 15-site demonstration project that will provide both hospice care and life-sustaining treatments to Medicare beneficiaries, according to recent reports.
More hospice info wanted
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2013
Federal regulators have added another layer of bureaucracy for hospice providers operating within skilled nursing facilities.
Quality measures needed to evaluate end-of-life care in nursing homes, study urges
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 17, 2012
As the number of people who choose nursing homes for end-of-life care continues to rise, more quality measures are needed to help consumers judge quality, a new study recommends.
CMS clarifies reporting requirements for hospice providers operating in skilled nursing facilities
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 04, 2014
New revisions to the Medicare Claims Processing manual are intended to clarify requirements for hospice providers operating in skilled nursing facilities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced...
Reduce Medicare payments for hospice care in skilled nursing facilities, MedPAC suggests
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 08, 2013
The government should consider Medicare payment cuts for hospice services provided in skilled nursing facilities, according to Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) commissioners. A reduction of...
CMS increases Medicare rates for hospices for fiscal year 2010
Aug 03, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a regulation increasing Medicare payments to hospices by 1.4% for fiscal year 2010.
Social Security recipients cannot opt out of Medicare, appeals court rules
Feb 09, 2012
Senior citizens who receive Social Security benefits cannot opt out of Medicare and rely solely on private insurance, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.