CMS issues guidance on survey timing for facilities that change ownership
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 10, 2013
Surveyors should prevent providers from being able to game the Medicare system through well-timed facility sales and purchases, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services instructed in a recent memorandum.
OIG calls for more frequent surveys for hospice providers
By
Ashley Carman
Sep 06, 2013
Hospice providers could soon be facing more recertification surveys, if the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has any say in it.
Nursing homes will be subject to escrow for all civil monetary penalties, CMS announces
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 05, 2013
Nursing homes facing a civil monetary penalty due to any type of deficiency will be subject to escrow and entitled to request an independent informal dispute resolution process, according to a newly issued...
Bigger trash cans allowed in updated LSC waiver rule
By
Ashley Carman
Sep 05, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated its Life Safety Code Waivers on Aug. 30. The update is designed to prevent “unreasonable hardship” for providers while maintaining resident...
CMS let off the hook in contempt case
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 01, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is not guilty of contempt in a case over payments to a nursing facility facing Medicare termination, a U.S. appeals court recently ruled.
Kill inpatient eligibility requirement for skilled care, former CMS chief Berwick says
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 04, 2013
The former head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has said the agency should scrap a rule requiring three days as a hospital inpatient to qualify for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing...
NASL leader praises government investigation into medical equipment bidding process
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 29, 2013
A government investigation could shed much-needed light on the Medicare competitive bidding process for durable medical equipment, prosthetics and supplies, according to Cynthia Morton, executive vice...
Medicare paid millions in ‘questionable’ diabetes test strip claims related to SNF, hospital...
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 29, 2013
Medicare is making questionable payments for diabetes test strips used by residents of skilled nursing facilities, according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector...
CMS and AHCA: Providers zeroing in on antipsychotic reduction target
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2013
Nursing homes have made strides toward reducing antipsychotic medication use among residents with dementia, according to new figures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the American Health...
Nursing homes beneficial for Medicare program, researchers find
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2013
Nursing homes often decrease residents’ need for services covered under Medicare, according to new research published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The results reinforce the idea...