Bush signs bill delaying six of seven Medicaid rules
Jul 01, 2008
President Bush on Monday signed a war-spending bill that delays six of seven Medicaid regulations until April of 2009. The move represents a so-called “win” for nursing-home providers.
CMS decides not to extend therapy caps exemptions process
Jul 01, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday told the long-term care community it will not extend the therapy caps exceptions process, which expired Monday. As a result, many residents now will...
Bipartisan letter to Bush: Don’t cut skilled nursing facility payments
Jun 30, 2008
Lawmakers in overwhelming numbers last week expressed their dislike of proposed skilled nursing facility payment reductions of $770 million for fiscal year 2009. A total of 40 senators and 110 representatives...
Senate delays six of seven controversial Medicaid rules
Jun 30, 2008
Nursing homes claimed a victory late last week after the Senate approved a war appropriations bill that contains a moratorium on six of seven unpopular Medicaid provisions.
Senate under pressure to pass Medicare bill by Independence Day
Jun 27, 2008
Suspense has been building around passage of a critical Medicare bill and whether the Senate can take such action before the July 4th recess.
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.
Yet another bill would delay physician payment cut
Jun 20, 2008
A new, slimmed down version of a bill to delay physician pay cuts and extend expiring Medicare provisions is expected to hit the Senate floor soon. It is the third bill that would put off the cuts.
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...
New MedPAC recommendations ‘right on target,’ Minnix says
Jun 17, 2008
MedPAC’s recent recommendations to revise the payment system for skilled nursing facilities drew praise Monday from the head of the largest nonprofit association for long-term care providers.
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...