Rural provider hopes lifted: Medicare to pay for virtual doctor visits
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jul 16, 2018
Physicians can receive Medicare payments for using telecommunications such as audio or video with patients, according to new guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CMS: Many skilled nursing providers have poor Medicare certification and recertification practices
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 22, 2014
The rate of improper Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities has increased largely due to issues with certification and recertification statements, according to a recently released government memorandum....
Clinical briefs for Friday, Sept. 18
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 18, 2020
Nursing home commission makes 27 recommendations, calls for ‘greater leadership role’ from CMS … Heparin nasal spray to be tested as COVID prevention … One in 10 older dental patients prescribed...
Federal agencies at odds: Medicare payment error rate much higher than first reported
Aug 27, 2008
The Office of the Inspector General has issued a report claiming that the Medicare payment error rate for durable medical equipment in 2006 was significantly higher than the 7.5% rate claimed by the Centers...
House report attacks, nursing homes fight back over allegations of deficient staffing, care and safe...
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 22, 2022
Congressional investigators pinned for-profit skilled nursing operators into a corner Wednesday, releasing a scathing report describing “dire” conditions caused by alleged lack of preparation and mismanagement...
Medicare Advantage plans intent on skirting new rules, providers fear
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 01, 2023
Aging services providers are increasingly concerned that powerful Medicare Advantage plans will not fall into line under new federal rules, which were once seen as the possible beginning of a tide change...
CMS finalizes ‘shocking’ 9% therapy cuts, while affirming vast expansion of telehealth pay provisions
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 01, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services formally announced Tuesday afternoon that it has finalized its calendar 2021 physician pay rule, which cuts physical and occupational therapy payments to nursing...
HHS extends coverage for COVID-19 screening at nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 01, 2020
Nursing homes in states that prohibit the use of point-of-care COVID-19 tests to screen for the disease can now do so after the Department of Health and Human Services extended coverage to include congregate...
Ask the care expert … about interpretive guidance
By
Sherrie Dornberger
Mar 01, 2014
I heard there was communication to surveyors on being required to cite the regulation and not the interpretive guidance. Where can I find this?
New CMS guidance allows focused COVID testing during outbreak investigations
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 13, 2021
Updated guidance released Friday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gives nursing homes more options for conducting a COVID-19 outbreak investigation after a positive test occurs.