CMS did more than ‘just’ cut Medicare pay by 11.1%
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Aug 19, 2011
Have you started your COT trending analysis? On Aug. 8, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final ruling and commentary for the new implementation of the MDS changes set to take effect...
Increasing length-of-stay
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jan 30, 2012
Length-of-stay — LOS — is one of those management reports that often leaves administrators and upper management bewildered. If you increase LOS, you essentially increase your census.
Hurts all over: pain in dementia
By
Renee Kinder
Mar 29, 2018
“Mommy, I hurt all over.” Day 2 of the stomach virus last week and my sweet Isaac was seeing no relief. Day 3 of the stomach virus and Isaac realized how much he missed school.
Ghosts of therapists past
By
Renee Kinder
Nov 08, 2018
Therapists experience the same impact when facing the ghosts of predecessors in their own therapy departments. And when considering the spirits of old habits needing to be shifted by significant changes...
Here’s how you can effectively schedule rehab
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Nov 14, 2011
When the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented its latest rounds of new and stricter regulations, the groan was heard throughout nursing homes across the country. But, I have good news:...
Aquatic Therapy: Understanding use and benefits
By
Renee Kinder
Sep 15, 2022
One of my grandfather’s favorite stories to tell about my stubborn childhood antics revolves around the first summer they opened their pool. Spoiler alert, I couldn’t swim. I somehow, however, managed...
No more Rehab Medium RUG defaults
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Oct 08, 2013
Well, Oct. 1 has passed, and we’re all still hanging in. The biggest changes we saw to rehab were the addition of reporting co-treatment minutes on our billing logs and Section O on the MDS. And,...
SNF Therapy Myths: Busted!
By
Renee Kinder
Feb 16, 2017
There are many myths surrounding rehab services in skilled nursing facilities. They often come from a lack of understanding of skilled care and a need to increase knowledge of Medicare regulations. I’ll...
Providers, are you asking, ‘Show me your therapy minutes’?
By
Renee Kinder
Apr 08, 2021
It is a simple ask. It is the right ask. Show me your therapy minutes. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have provided a bit of a pause to the anticipated review and audits we all anticipated seeing associated...