Need for cognitive assessments missing from home- and community-based Medicaid regulations, group says
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 17, 2012
Regulations issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services concerning Medicaid coverage for home- and community-based services has been too vague for Alzheimer’s advocates.
States not given Medicaid expansion deadline, Tavenner says
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 16, 2012
In response to a flurry of questions from state governors, the Obama Administration announced it is not imposing a deadline for states to decide whether to implement the healthcare law’s Medicaid...
CMS should downsize demonstration programs for dual eligibles, senator says
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 13, 2012
Large demonstration programs meant to coordinate the care of dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries could limit access to care and require more thorough testing, critics said this week.
SNFs may see more payments based on quality; invited to weigh in on LTC requirements
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 13, 2012
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released reports tackling value-based purchasing for skilled nursing facilities, MDS frequency and goals for nursing homes.
Antipsychotics report will have severe side effects
By
John O'Connor
Jul 13, 2012
Antipsychotic drugs are often used to calm residents with dementia. This reality is common knowledge among most people who have spent more than a few minutes in a nursing facility. But it is apparently...
House committee puts Medicare audit contractors on the hotseat
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 10, 2012
Lawmakers are asking Medicare contractors for more information about how they go about identifying and reporting potentially fraudulent payments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Officials: Number of accountable care organizations more than doubles to 154
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 09, 2012
There currently are 154 accountable care organizations in operation, according to federal officials. They announced today that 89 brand new ACOs began service July 1.
CMS wants to know how you make things better
By
John O'Connor
Jul 06, 2012
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may be asking you for help this summer. It might behoove you to sit up and take notice.
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.
Medicare coverage for bariatric surgeries left up to discretion of administrative contractors
Jun 29, 2012
Long-term care operators struggling to meet the needs of obese residents could get some help from Medicare.