Medicare Advantage practices under expanded CMS quality reporting could hurt reputation, pay: experts
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 02, 2024
Medicare Advantage plans’ varied interpretations of skilled nursing rules that apply to all beneficiaries in traditional Medicare could complicate federal regulators’ efforts to collect more quality...
Battleships and the RAI adventure
By
Joel VanEaton
Oct 01, 2024
I recently had the opportunity to tour three WWII-era ships, the USS Yorktown (CV-10), the USS Laffey (DD-724) and the USS Wisconsin (BB-64). All three provided me with extraordinary experiences. ...
The tantalizing tale of a bow tie, a fedora and the SNF VBP
By
Joel VanEaton
Sep 06, 2024
I am an amateur thespian and have been involved as such at our local community theater. Last Christmas, I was cast as George Bailey in a live radio production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” To be...
Handbook offers a one-step MDS 3.0 reference tool
Jul 11, 2012
Extended Care Products’ OMRA Handbook gives operators MDS 3.0 information and guidelines in one resource. The handbook offers free future updates.
Game planning emerges for new SNF PPS pay rule
By
Jessica R. Towhey
James M. Berklan
Aug 01, 2024
As disapproval about the 2025 skilled nursing Medicare pay rate increase continued to rise Thursday, long-term care providers and their advisors began devising coping strategies for some of the less flashy...
CMS releases more new MDS draft details; more changes to come?
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 04, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services kept a pre-New Year’s resolution by releasing a second draft of the new MDS tool that will be used to assess new residents starting Oct. 1, 2023.
A monster final rule with MDS teeth
By
Joel VanEaton
Aug 06, 2024
I recently spent a relaxing week’s vacation at the beach. I’m not a, “sit on the beach and worship the sun” kind of guy. I’m of Irish descent and, unfortunately, my fair skin is sun...
Providers worried about CMS pace on new MDS materials
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 09, 2022
Skilled nursing operators were happily surprised in September with an early draft of MDS revisions, but ever since it’s been a slog getting more information.
Have a rest from COVID-19: An MDS perspective
By
Joel VanEaton
Jul 06, 2020
I am trying to find ways to rest my mind from constantly thinking about COVID-19. There seems to be no escaping it. It invades every minute poking its head into our collective consciousness whether you...
CMS drops ‘enormous’ MDS changes in surprise move
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 06, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services surprised nursing home operators Friday by quietly posting a draft of updated Minimum Data Set specifications.