A newly proposed bill in the U.S. House would extend Medicare physician payment rates for one year while legislators work to devise a more manageable alternative to the existing formula.
Scrutiny of skilled nursing facilities intensifies with Nursing Home Compare overhaul
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 19, 2012
The government’s Nursing Home Compare website now includes more information about surveyor inspection findings and antipsychotic medication usage, officials announced Tuesday.
Nursing home costs grow as home health costs stay flat, survey shows
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 06, 2012
The cost of living in a long-term care facility increased steadily over the last year while home care costs have stayed flat, a new survey finds.
CMS boosts payments, incentives for dialysis centers
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 03, 2012
Medicare payments to providers that offer outpatient maintenance dialysis treatments will increase 2.5% in calendar year 2013, regulators said.
Formal, written policies can help long-term care facilities avoid healthcare-associated infections, experts...
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 21, 2012
Long-term care organizations must practice diligent adherence to hand hygiene regimens and establish clear, written protocols for containing and preventing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), experts...
Medicaid spending now represents biggest portion of total state spending, study finds
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 13, 2012
Medicaid spending increased 20% in fiscal 2012, representing the single largest portion of total state spending. This, combined with federally mandated Medicaid eligibility expansions, puts state budgets...
Medicare beneficiaries supportive of ACOs, despite rough start
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 11, 2012
Despite a somewhat rocky start, Medicare beneficiaries have been supportive of accountable care organizations, a government official said.
Medicaid audit contractors lag behind Medicare counterparts, federal officials admit
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 08, 2012
Federal officials acknowledged in a House hearing Thursday that Medicaid’s recovery contractors have not been as successful as their Medicare counterparts in detecting fraud and recovering overpayments.
Provider group hammers Congressional leadership on lowering provider tax threshold
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 06, 2012
The American Health Care Association continued its assault Wednesday on a Republican proposal to use Medicaid provider assessments to offset subsidies to the Stafford student loan program.
Administrators must prepare for ‘surveyor mentality’ of Medicare auditors, expert warns
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 05, 2012
Skilled nursing facility administrators must have more savviness around therapy documentation to survive increased scrutiny from auditors, a payment expert warned at a McKnight’s Super Tuesday session...