Out with the drab: Time to add personality to healthcare equipment
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
May 07, 2012
A few years ago, I broke my leg. Ouch! I was stuck in a long-leg cast for 14 weeks. Luckily, no surgery was required. It was around the holidays, so I asked to have my cast done in red and green stripes.
CMS issues final rule on provider identification number
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 25, 2012
Providers and suppliers who submit claims to Medicaid and Medicare must include an identification number on enrollment applications and payment claims, according to a final rule.
Capturing acuity: How MDS accuracy has a critical impact on Medicare/Medicaid payment systems
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 20, 2012
There’s a familiar saying in the industry that “If it’s not documented, then it’s not done.” But what if it is documented, but just not documented correctly?
CMS releases list of 27 ACOs
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 11, 2012
Physicians largely lead the first group of Medicare Shared Savings accountable care organizations, but long-term care facilities will be an integral part of their future success, a Centers for Medicare...
New SNF business models and alligators
By
John O'Connor
Apr 02, 2012
There’s an old adage that goes something like this: It’s hard to remember that your objective was to drain the ditch when you are up to your waist in alligators.
Established nursing home business practices will soon change, expert warns
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 26, 2012
Market and policy changes will force skilled care operators to dramatically change their business practices, an industry analyst said Monday. Successful operators will need to demonstrate quality care,...
A new Medicare overhaul proposed by two Republican senators on Thursday would save an estimated $200 billion to $500 billion over 10 years by way of “premium support.”
Yes, it was a good year
By
John O'Connor
Dec 22, 2011
If you’re like most operators, you’re probably staggering toward the end-of-year holidays. And your unsteady gait may have nothing to do with spiked eggnog.
How to make your nursing facility RAC-ready
By
Bryan Baird
Nov 08, 2011
As skilled nursing facilities adjust to the changes to Medicare that arrived early last month, they must be ready for Recovery Audit Contractors. RACs are independent auditors for the government that are...
Hospices to receive 2.5% bump for Medicare patients
Aug 01, 2011
Hospices treating Medicare beneficiaries will see a 2.5% increase in payments for fiscal year 2012, according to a final rule released Friday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. They must...