President signs housing bill; low-income seniors housing gets a nudge
Jul 31, 2008
President Bush Wednesday signed into law a housing bill that will help more than 400,000 Americans keep their homes and help to stabilize the turbulent housing market. The legislation also will streamline...
Debate to continue for Baucus’ physician payment cut bill
Jun 13, 2008
The Senate yesterday rejected a motion that would have brought a bill stopping a pending 10.6% physician Medicare physician payment cut up for an immediate vote.
Obama sending mixed message on Medicare prescription prices
Apr 30, 2015
Prescription drug prices are likely to resurface as a hot political potato in the looming presidential race, beginning with the president’s recent bombshell that he wants to let Medicare bargain...
Report: Part D bills would pinch providers
Mar 28, 2008
Legislation that requires Medicare Part D plans to pay pharmacists within 14 days could take money away from nursing homes and Medicare Advantage plans, according to the Pharmaceutical Care Management...
Experts: Preventing re-hospitalizations key to Medicare solvency
Aug 18, 2008
Medicare could save up to $12 billion per year if it would reduce the number of Medicare patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of a previous stay. Those savings, in turn, could help fund physician...
Nursing home groups support ‘doc fix’ bill
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 24, 2015
Leaders of the nation’s two largest long-term care associations spoke favorably Monday about a bill that would improve Medicare physician pay rates while moderately restricting LTC pay. In fact,...
Governors: Give states $4 billion for Medicare mistakes
Jul 07, 2011
The National Governors Association says the federal government owes the states up to $4 billion for wrongfully denying disabled individuals Medicare coverage over the past 30 years.
CMS lowers pay hike for skilled nursing facilities to 1.2%
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 31, 2015
Medicare skilled nursing facilities would get a net 1.2% pay increase — totaling $430 million — in fiscal 2016 under a final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services late Thursday.
New Medicare ACO to be unveiled soon
By
John Hall
Mar 02, 2015
The government’s top health insurer has announced that providers could get a first look at a new type of Medicare accountable care organization this month. It has been modeled closely after a controversial...
Over 2,000 hospitals will be targeted for readmission penalties starting Oct. 1
Aug 14, 2012
In about six weeks, more than 2,000 U.S. hospitals will be subject to financial penalties for preventable readmissions, making their relationships with post-acute providers more important than ever.