Berwick hearing leaves Finance Committee wanting more
Nov 19, 2010
Dr. Donald Berwick, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, delivered testimony before the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday that reflected his support of the Patient Protection...
CMS proposes shorter drug cycle rule in long-term care to limit pharmaceutical waste
Nov 17, 2010
The National Community Pharmacists Association said Tuesday that it fully supports a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that requires pharmacies to only dispense brand name...
CMS launches Medicare, Medicaid innovation center
Nov 17, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services disclosed Tuesday it has established its Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation as part of an effort to evaluate the delivery and cost of care.
New therapy rule could harm rehab patients in skilled nursing facilities, NASL says
Nov 10, 2010
Another long-term care organization took a swing at the new multiple procedure payment reduction policy, which affects Medicare beneficiaries in skilled nursing and post-acute care facilities.
Open enrollment for Medicare Part D drug program sparks debate
Oct 26, 2010
In preparation for the Medicare Part D open enrollment period, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it has streamlined its coverage options and eliminated choices it considered repetitive....
Providers get final session to query federal regulators before MDS 3.0 / RUG-IV start
Sep 10, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a skilled nursing / long-term care Open Door Forum conference call for providers at 2 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Wednesday. It is the final regularly...
Providers, patient advocates decry Medicare’s 48-hour ‘observation’ status
Sep 02, 2010
Nursing home providers, hospital groups and Medicare patient advocates recently unloaded their opinions about Medicare’s 48-hour “observation” status on federal regulators. And that was...
Provider conference call Wednesday to focus on MDS, RUGs, nursing home payment changes
Aug 27, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host another free conference call Wednesday for providers to learn more about the transition from the RUG-III payment system to RUG-IV. The new MDS 3.0...
Officials detail MDS, RUG transition options for skilled nursing
Aug 27, 2010
Providers get a week to digest options for MDS 3.0 and RUG-IV transitions discussed during a conference call with federal regulators before attending another call in the series. The next call will be from...
Extension for Medicaid privatization scheme in Florida under CMS review
Aug 26, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently agreed to review a research and demonstration waiver for a controversial Medicaid privatization scheme in five Florida counties, but it has not granted...