Nursing homes to be notified of initial ‘five-star’ ratings starting Monday
Dec 12, 2008
Nursing home operators on Monday will begin receiving advance notice of their first ratings in federal regulators’ new “five-star” system, officials said during a conference call Thursday.
Medicare, Medicaid short physicians, hospitals nearly $90 billion annually
Dec 10, 2008
Medicare and Medicaid underpay physicians and hospitals by roughly $88.8 billion every year, which means privately insured patients are picking up the tab, according to a new study.
CMS forum to address ‘five-star’ rating system for nursing homes
Dec 09, 2008
The new “five-star” rating system for nursing homes will be a topic of discussion at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ “Open Door Forum” this Thursday.
Major new Medicaid rule exempts nursing home residents
Dec 04, 2008
A major new Medicaid regulation gives states “unprecedented flexibility” in configuring their Medicaid programs. Exempted from the rule are nursing home residents, Medicare beneficiaries and...
Medicaid increases costs to beneficiaries under new federal rule
Dec 02, 2008
Some Medicaid beneficiaries will be subject to higher copayments and premiums for certain services under a new federal rule that took effect last week.
Obama: Economic recovery includes healthcare reform
Nov 26, 2008
Healthcare reform is part of getting the country back on track economically, President-elect Barack Obama said.
AHCA pressures CMS, lawmakers to wait on ‘five-star’ rating system
Nov 25, 2008
The pending “five-star” nursing home rating system should be delayed because it would not accurately reflect the quality of the nation’s nursing homes, the American Health Care Association...
CMS may not cover bariatric surgery for non-obese diabetics
Nov 24, 2008
Medicare would not cover bariatric surgeries for people who have diabetes but are not morbidly obese, according to a policy proposed recently by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CMS issues new guidelines for Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans
Nov 17, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last Thursday laid out new guidelines governing Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans that serve Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions.
Advocacy groups plead for end to two-year wait for Medicare coverage for disabled
Nov 14, 2008
Healthcare and disability advocacy groups have launched a campaign to end the two-year waiting period the disabled must endure before qualifying for Medicare.