CMS budget defines nursing home quality targets, requests an additional $50 million for surveys
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 12, 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed budget for fiscal year 2015 requests additional funds for survey activities and lists the agency’s targets for nursing home quality measures.
Long-term care groups applaud a pause in Medicare audits, urge permanent changes
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 21, 2014
Long-term care stakeholders are praising the government’s decision to temporarily pause the recovery audit contractor program, which is associated with a huge backlog of Medicare claims appeals.
Nursing homes beneficial for Medicare program, researchers find
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2013
Nursing homes often decrease residents’ need for services covered under Medicare, according to new research published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The results reinforce the idea...
Kill inpatient eligibility requirement for skilled care, former CMS chief Berwick says
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 04, 2013
The former head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has said the agency should scrap a rule requiring three days as a hospital inpatient to qualify for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing...
Proposed Medicare rules would tighten CMS oversight of nursing home prescriptions
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 08, 2014
In light of reports that Medicare Part D prescribing practices are endangering seniors — many of them in long-term care facilities — the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed...
CMS needs to improve oversight of Medicare contractors’ error rate reduction plans, report says
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 21, 2014
Too many Medicare providers are receiving improper payments, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should clamp down by doing a better job overseeing its contractors’ error rate reduction...
CMS announces Medicare appeals without administrative law judge hearings
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 07, 2014
Long-term care providers will be able to appeal certain Medicare claims decisions without going through an administrative law judge hearing, the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) announced...
Long-term care and CMS workers occupy common ground
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 03, 2013
Long-term care workers and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services employees might have a lot in common — and that’s not entirely good news.