Federal regulators have put pre-admission screenings on the back burner, at least temporarily, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Patient CARE Act is probed
By
John Andrews
Jun 05, 2015
Because it does not allow for states’ consent, the proposed Medicaid Patient CARE Act block-grant program likely will be considered unconstitutional, say two public policy authorities.
Court curtails union fees
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 01, 2012
The U.S. Supreme Court came down against organized labor recently in a 7-2 ruling that opens the door for objections to unexpected fee increases or special assessments.
CMS targets pay schemes
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 05, 2019
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has said it is going to crack down on “impermissible financing arrangements” currently taking place under Medicaid.
RAC battles move forward
By
Amy Novotney
Apr 06, 2015
The debate over whether Recovery Audit Contractor audits are an incentive-laced system of provider harassment or a necessary tool to redistribute misspent Medicare funds continues. Neither side appears...
Dreaded MFAR withdrawn
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 01, 2020
Providers got their wish in mid-August when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it was rescinding a controversial proposal that would have cut up to $50 billion annually nationwide from...
Providers fret bundled pilot
By
John Hall
Nov 05, 2015
Provider advocates generally accept a proposal to bundle Medicare payments for one of the most common orthopedic procedures, but many believe the plan is being rushed while serious concerns about issues...
Interoperability pressured
By
John Andrews
May 08, 2015
Congress is getting more involved in healthcare interoperability. Lawmakers have proposed legislation calling for changes to the process in order to speed up and broaden provider inclusion by the end of...
Hospice billings changed
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 01, 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently updated instructions on coding hospice claims. Billing staffs should be aware of these changes, which went into effect Oct. 1, CMS stated in a memorandum...
MDS insight found lacking
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 01, 2014
Long-term care staffers’ understanding of the Minimum Data Set and its Quality Indicators is “mediocre at best,” according to recent survey results. Lack of exposure and involvement are...