Hospitals slap the government with lawsuits over ‘two-midnight’ policy to reduce observation...
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 16, 2014
The American Hospital Association and other hospital groups have sued the federal government over the so-called “two-midnight rule,” which was designed in part to ease access to skilled nursing...
As cameras roll, providers raise hopes about hospital ‘observation’ stays
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 15, 2014
It’s been said for a long time that a picture is worth a thousand words. Moving pictures? Start multiplying the worth. Add some sound or speaking to those moving pictures, well now we’re talking...
60 seconds with … Michael A. Ross, M.D.
By
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Jan 01, 2014
Q: You co-authored a study on how specialized hospital observation stay units could increase transparency and allow quicker inpatient admission decisions. This would help people meet the three-midnight...
Dedicated observation stay units could protect nursing home benefits, save hospitals $1 billion annually,...
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 06, 2013
Specialized hospital units for patients under observation status could dramatically reduce the number of seniors forced to pay out-of-pocket for skilled nursing care, according to findings in the current...
Bizarre decision shows that when it comes to 3-day stay rule, there ought to be a law
By
John O'Connor
Oct 11, 2013
There are many odd animals roaming our healthcare industrial complex. But few are more bizarre than Medicare’s three-day rule. Or more deserving of extinction.
OIG finds ‘observation stay’ problems, calls for reform
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2013
Long-term care groups are among those hailing a federal study that raises critical questions about hospitals’ apparent over-use of “observation stay” designations for patients.
Progress in the hospital ‘observation stay’ chaos
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2013
When you complain about bizarre government conditions or regulations, as columnists are wont to do, you usually have to assume you’re just whispering into a stiff wind. But now comes word that no...
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...
Progress in trying to undo the hospital ‘observation stay’ mess
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 31, 2013
What is this world coming to? When you complain about bizarre government conditions or regulations, you usually have to assume you’re just whispering into the wind.
Observation stay case debated in court
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2013
Government lawyers and opponents of Medicare’s “observation stay loophole” recently squared off in federal court, when a judge convened the first hearing in the Bagnall vs. Sebelius case....