Report: Nursing home stocks weathering economy OK, but reimbursement concerns loom
Apr 27, 2009
At least a handful of for-profit nursing home companies’ stock values are holding strong, despite an overall shaky economy, a new Dow Jones report notes. The key has been relatively stable Medicare...
Government proposes cutting Medicare hospice payments 1.1%
Apr 24, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday proposed a rule that would trim Medicare hospice payments by 1.1% in FY 2010.
Expanded leverage for CMS could bolster healthcare reform, Senate told
Apr 24, 2009
The government could use Medicare to test new cost-saving, quality improving healthcare reform efforts, but it would have to give the program more leverage and flexibility, panelists testified at a recent...
CMS starts unpopular durable medical equipment bidding process
Apr 22, 2009
The competitive bidding process for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) is now in effect. But a new rule governing the process will not immediately affect the DMEPOS...
Minnix: CMS administrator vacancy delaying possible Five-Star rating system changes
Apr 22, 2009
The absence of a chief at the helm of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may be stymieing providers’ attempts to persuade federal regulators to modify the new Five-Star Quality Rating System...
F-tags with revisions on resident quality of life to be released in June
Apr 20, 2009
Eleven F-tags with revisions related to the quality of life and environment of nursing home residents will be available June 17.
CMS releases implementation timeline for MDS 3.0
Apr 20, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday released the timeline for MDS 3.0. This comes one week after the agency published a timeline and then pulled it off the site.
Computer problems delaying new MDS 3.0 timeline, regulators say
Apr 17, 2009
Providers worried about last week’s abrupt posting and withdrawal of a MDS 3.0 form timeline can rest easy, federal regulators assured Thursday during an Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long-Term Care...
Long-term care organizations praise CMS post-acute pilot project
Apr 15, 2009
Many in the long-term care community are supporting the Care Transitions Project, a government initiative to improve healthcare processes and minimize rehospitalizations.
CMS discloses new post-acute initiative to prevent rehospitalizations
Apr 14, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is beginning a new pilot program to help ease the adjustment from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility or home. The purpose is to prevent hospital readmissions.