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...
Lawmakers demand answers about rating system quirks
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2014
After The New York Times noted that providers are apparently gaming the Five Star rating system by enhancing staffing and quality data, federal lawmakers quickly put an indignant pen to paper.
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:...
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...
Obama seeks bipartisanship, so long as it happens his way
By
John O'Connor
Mar 02, 2013
In a State of the Union address that largely touted objectives favored by Democrats, President Obama called on Republicans to be less partisan.
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.
RAC audits often inaccurate, group claims
By
John O'Connor
Dec 02, 2012
A major hospital group has called for a federal investigation into mistakes made by recovery audit contractors.
Few signs of a deal as fiscal cliff nears
By
John O'Connor
Dec 02, 2012
Winning candidates had little time to enjoy November election victories, thanks to a looming $600 billion fiscal cliff.
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.