Florida nursing homes ahead of the curve with five-star rating system
Jun 23, 2008
The five-star rating system introduced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may be new for nursing homes on a national scale, but it’s old hat in the Sunshine State.
Nursing homes to pay for their own sprinklers, CMS says
Jun 20, 2008
It is estimated that almost one out of every 11 nursing homes do not contain a sprinkler system, between 20% and 30% do not have automatic sprinklers, and retrofitting will cost facilities roughly $850...
Agreement reached on Medicaid rule moratorium
Jun 20, 2008
The U.S. House of Representatives this week struck a deal with the White House on a supplemental war-funding bill that also includes a moratorium on six of the seven unpopular Medicaid provisions.
Nursing homes lukewarm to government’s new five-star rating system
Jun 19, 2008
Nursing home operators wasted little time Wednesday issuing rebuttals to the federal government’s announcement that it would create and publish individual facility rankings on its Web site by the...
MedPAC recommends reforming Medicare payment system for skilled nursing facilities
Jun 16, 2008
The Medicare advisory arm of Congress has issued recommendations for reforming the Medicare payment system, including the payment system for skilled nursing facilities.
Legislators not keen on durable medical equipment bidding program
Jun 13, 2008
A Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment (DME) providers scheduled to begin July 1 is being met with strong resistance from legislators, nursing home advocates, DME suppliers...
CMS launches EHR demonstration project at 12 sites
Jun 12, 2008
Twelve sites have been selected to take part in a five-year electronic health records demonstration project for physicians, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt announced this week.
Medicare physician payment bill on hold in Senate until next week
Jun 12, 2008
Legislation to delay the implementation of a 10.6% cut in Medicare physician payments may not be considered by the Senate until next Monday at the earliest, according to the bill’s author, Sen. Max...
Two physician payment bills in Senate could be under microscope
Jun 10, 2008
Senators may have to reconcile two separate bills that would delay payment cuts to physicians.
White House, providers spar over possible Medicaid cuts
By
John O'Connor
Jun 01, 2008
Is sustained Medicaid funding an effective way to ensure the delivery of needed healthcare services to the poor, or a harmful drain on the U.S. Treasury?