Hospitals that used a network of preferred skilled nursing facility partners reduced their readmission rates four times faster than hospitals that didn’t, a study in the September issue of Health...
Satisfaction? Not yet: CMS
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 04, 2020
Federal regulators say that nursing homes could eventually come to see patient satisfaction scores included in Five Star Quality Ratings and on the Nursing Home Compare website.
BCPI ups quality: analysis
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 05, 2017
A recent analysis shines a positive light on value-based care models such as federal hip and knee replacement bundled payment programs.
Pay switch costs a bundle
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 02, 2018
Total episode payments declined but the Medicare program lost big from 2013 to 2016 with Bundled Payments for Care Improvement. The total cost was nearly $290 million. Model 2, the most commonly used track...
Poll: IPAB best of options
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 02, 2011
In contrast to providers’ preference, more Americans want an independent payment board to make decisions about Medicare spending, rather than leaving the current system as is.
PASRR assessment paused
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 01, 2020
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.
Medicaid changes sought
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 05, 2018
Skilled care providers were reacting with caution to proposed “significant” changes to private Medicaid plans that federal officials say will lessen regulatory burdens and give states more flexibility.