Sequestration and Ryan plan seen as big fiscal challenges
By
John O'Connor
Apr 01, 2013
Last month, the skilled sector figured out sequester cuts would cost providers more than $782 million in payments. Then Paul Ryan broke out the meat cleaver.
Medicare concessions possible, Obama says
By
John O'Connor
Mar 02, 2013
President Obama touched on several issues that matter to long-term care operators during last month’s State of the Union address. His most urgent message to lawmakers: Do not not allow sequestration...
Latest funding deal sidesteps fiscal cliff
By
John O'Connor
Feb 01, 2013
Providers generally lauded a deal that kept the nation from going over the so-called fiscal cliff in January. Spared were automatic Medicare cuts to physicians and facilities.
AHCA sends strong message as fiscal cliff cuts get closer
By
John O'Connor
Dec 02, 2012
As lawmakers try to get “on message” about the looming fiscal cliff, the American Health Care Association sent a message of its own.
AHCA’s Parkinson ‘cautiously optimistic,’ despite sequester and other looming fiscal...
By
John O'Connor
Mar 07, 2013
A newly enacted sequester may be trimming Medicare payments to skilled nursing operators, but the sector remains strong and poised for future growth. That assessment was delivered Wednesday by the head...
Getting lost in the fog
By
John O'Connor
Apr 01, 2013
I was hoping to get clear answers about the sector’s future at the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry’s regional meeting last month in San Diego. I did, but...
Sequestration cuts will target Medicare
By
John O'Connor
Sep 01, 2012
The good news about sequestration cuts slated to start in January: They will not touch Medicaid. The bad news: Medicare funding will trimmed by 2% — or $11 billion — in the next year alone.
Obama attacks sequestration, Medicare payments in State of the Union address
By
John O'Connor
Feb 13, 2013
In a State of the Union address largely focused on jobs and the economy, President Obama challenged a divided Congress to avoid automatic funding cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, raise the minimum wage and...
CMS to revise audit practices
By
John O'Connor
Jun 01, 2013
Here’s the good news for providers dealing with Recovery Audit Program contractors: The federal government will make fewer additional document requests, starting this month. Now the not-so-good news:...
SNFs can ask for a 3-month reprieve in quality reporting
By
John O'Connor
Sep 04, 2015
Skilled nursing facilities unable to provide data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new quality reporting program will have a 90-day window to request an exception or extension, officials...