Grassley wants probe into states’ handling of care complaints
Jan 29, 2008
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) has called for a national investigation into the way states handle complaints of poor nursing care. He acted after receiving a serious complaint regarding a nursing/rehab center...
CMS proposes 2.6% funding hike for long-term care hospitals
Jan 24, 2008
Long-term care hospitals may see a bigger than expected bump in their payment rate in 2009, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. On Tuesday, CMS proposed increasing the payment rate...
CMS letter offers new guidance to Part D plans
Jan 22, 2008
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has asked sponsors of Part D and Medicare Advantage plans to comment on a draft combined call letter issued earlier this month.
CMS releases final version of MDS 3.0
Jan 18, 2008
Federal regulators released the final version of the MDS 3.0 on Thursday, a week before they will hold a special, informational Open Door Forum on it.
Medicaid rule would offer more choice to beneficiaries
Jan 15, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed a rule that would allow more Medicaid beneficiaries to choose their personal care workers instead of relying on the agency to coordinate the services.
Rule would eliminate premiums for some Part D enrollees
Jan 14, 2008
A new regulation proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would allow some low-income Medicare beneficiaries, including dual-eligible individuals, to stay in their Medicare prescription...
MedPAC tells Congress to freeze 2009 SNF rates
Jan 11, 2008
As expected, the advisory arm of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Thursday recommended that Congress freeze payment rates for skilled nursing facilities for fiscal year 2009.
Adult day care expands, Journal reports
Jan 11, 2008
Adult day care is becoming more popular among working professionals whose parents live with them, according to the Wall Street Journal. Demand for the service is growing from anywhere between 5% and 15%...
Use Medicaid pricing to reduce Part D costs, study says
Jan 10, 2008
Here’s one way to limit the growth of Medicare Part D drug prices: Require drug makers to sell drugs to prescription drug plans for dual-eligible beneficiaries at prices similar to what Medicaid...
CMS expecting big crowd for MDS 3.0 special Open Door Forum
Jan 09, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the first time is requesting advance registration for a nursing home “Open Door Forum.” The federal regulatory body will report results of its...