I’ve been in a fight with my computer monitor for the past couple of days. The screen was crisp and bright looking, but after a few hours I’d start getting a headache. I had been blaming that...
SNF Therapy Myths: Busted!
By
Renee Kinder
Feb 16, 2017
There are many myths surrounding rehab services in skilled nursing facilities. They often come from a lack of understanding of skilled care and a need to increase knowledge of Medicare regulations. I’ll...
Cracking new PT and OT evaluation codes
By
Renee Kinder
Nov 17, 2016
January 1 will put new evaluation codes for physical and occupational therapy into effect and we all better be paying close attention.
Staring into the abyss when the abyss won’t make eye contact
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Oct 28, 2016
In this world of RACs, ADRs, denials and incentivized payback demands, it behooves us as providers to stare back at The Abyss and defy the illogical and irrational edicts of “PLOF” as the determining...
When your inpatient is an outpatient
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Sep 01, 2016
Working in the SNF environment as long as I have (don’t ask) I have encountered lots of myths, rumors, fables and tales about how therapy should operate in our very limited community.
It’s time for ‘the talk’ about healthcare fraud
By
John O'Connor
Aug 01, 2016
Some necessary conversations tend to be awkward and uncomfortable. They include talking to our children about baby making. Or convincing our parents to give up the car keys. Or talking to government investigators...
Are your Ultra High RUGs putting you at risk?
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 22, 2016
The 2016 Office of Inspector General work plan calls for increased scrutiny of the Ultra High therapy billing category because the amount of this therapy delivered has increased over time, despite resident...
SNF therapy billing controversy rises from the dead
By
Elizabeth Newman
Oct 02, 2015
Despite my love of Halloween, there is one component of it that is distinctly not for me: Horror movies. Still, I’m enough of a pop culture enthusiast that I can appreciate those with an appetite...
Nursing homes and loopholes, a love story
By
John O'Connor
Aug 31, 2015
You can bet that nursing home-hired actuaries, lawyers, consultants and other assorted bean counters are going over new rules with a fine-tooth comb. They are looking for the next generation of potential...
Regaining an appreciation of prevention
By
Tara Roberts
Feb 05, 2015
Healthcare is mandated to reduce spending. The problem is that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and others are so blinded by the “reduce spending” element that we have lost our...