Government presses therapy provider to repay $3 million in Medicare reimbursements
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 21, 2013
A New Jersey-based outpatient therapy provider should pay back the government for $3.1 million in improper Medicare reimbursements identified in a recent audit, according to the Department of Health and...
Lawmakers call for public disclosure of Medicare payments, ask for input on post-acute reforms
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 20, 2013
The battle against Medicare waste, fraud and abuse heated up on Capitol Hill this week. Lawmakers introduced a bill to make Medicare claims and payments publicly available and asked for provider input...
Provider groups protest MedPAC recommendations to reduce therapy caps
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 18, 2013
Resident care would suffer and providers would shoulder a larger burden if Congress acts on the latest recommendations from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, advocates for the long-term care sector...
Research organizations team up for large-scale senior fall prevention study
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 17, 2013
Two research organizations are teaming up for a major study to reduce the number of fall-related injuries among seniors. Provider input is requested.
RACs push back against audit improvement bills
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 06, 2013
An advocacy group for independent Medicare auditors has sharply criticized two bills that would put new controls on Recovery Audit Contractors. The Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013 was introduced...
Safety commission weighs petitions for total bed-rail ban, seeks input
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 05, 2013
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has merged two petitions calling for a total ban on adult bed rails and will accept comments on the matter through Aug. 5, according to an entry in Tuesday’s...
Government officials released good news about the long-term solvency of the Medicare program Friday. The projections were based in large measure on lower projected reimbursements for skilled nursing facilities.
SNF margins cut in half, Alliance report says
By
McKnight's Staff
May 31, 2013
With income margins decimated by Medicare and Medicaid cuts and access to capital strangled, skilled nursing facilities will be unable to care for the nation’s booming senior population unless changes...
CMS updates survey guidelines for antipsychotic drugs in dementia care
By
McKnight's Staff
May 31, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated survey guidelines regarding nursing homes’ use of antipsychotic medications for dementia care. The 59-page interim guidance revises Appendix...
CMS: Four provider responsibilities when residents want an expedited appeal of Medicare service terminations
By
McKnight's Staff
May 29, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services specified four provider responsibilities for expedited review of Medicare service terminations in a recent claims manual update.