Proposed 9% therapy pay cut has providers up in arms
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2020
Provider advocates have warned that the Trump administration’s proposed 9% Medicare payment cuts for physical and occupational therapy could send some companies out of business.
New bid may be underway to foster Medicaid block grants
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 05, 2019
The administration is considering sidestepping Congress to make another run at using state block grants to pay for Medicaid funding, according to a published report.
MedPAC: No SNF pay raise
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 04, 2019
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is attempting again to stiff nursing homes while also eyeing quick action on payment system reform.
Hospitals get more choosy
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 25, 2018
tudy of Medicare provider and claims data found hospitals are choosing to work more closely with skilled nursing facilities that use fewer resources, record shorter lengths of stay, and perform better...
Lawmakers target SNFs’ big payer for fraud, waste cuts
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 08, 2018
A pair of Congressional subcommittees focused on oversight have banded together to examine ways to reduce Medicaid fraud and waste.
Budget offers pay concerns
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 08, 2018
Even though a new, unified payment system has been discussed for several years, the mere mention of it in President Trump’s budget proposal jolted observers in February. The budget specifically said...
MedPAC calls for payment reforms to come even earlier
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 06, 2017
Federal lawmakers’ advisory panel for Medicare made it official in its report to Congress in June: It recommends implementation of a unified post-acute payment system beginning in 2021 — three...
New ACO designed to better serve dual eligibles strategy
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 06, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Dec. 15 it was starting an ACO pilot program aimed at beneficiaries enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.
Insurers rattled by Medicaid managed care’s big changes
By
John Hall
Jun 06, 2016
The government’s first major overhaul of the Medicaid Managed Care program in 14 years is unlikely to affect provider reimbursements, but insurers continue to take exception with one provision allowing...
Right-to-try gains support
By
John Hall
Apr 04, 2016
Congress is considering easing federal laws prohibiting terminally ill patients from trying unapproved experimental drugs as a last-ditch effort to extend or save their lives.