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CMS

MDS 3.0 item set puts providers at next level for assessments

November 03, 2009

Nursing home providers can finally begin taking the next step in preparation for the MDS 3.0: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released the MDS 3.0 Item Set, which contains information on the final version of the new assessment tool.

Fearful of losing even more funding, providers to pressure lawmakers on healthcare reform

August 14, 2009

Although it wasn't unexpected, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' official announcement that it will be cutting $1 billion from nursing home Medicare payments starting Oct. 1 was still a shock to providers this week. Federal officials have rationalized that a projected 2.2% market-basket update, while less than hoped for, would still offset about two-thirds of the $1 billion "recalibration" loss. However, provider advocates will be rallying the troops over the coming weeks to protect the 2.2% increase. "Nursing homes are in serious danger of losing the market-basket update under healthcare reform legislation," one warned.

Five-Star ratings system hotline re-opens; updated facility ratings go public Thursday

July 17, 2009

The Five-Star Quality Ratings hotline has re-opened and will remain operational until July 30, federal healthcare regulators say. Directors at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said they are expecting an uptick in calls from providers since quarterly quality measure ratings are included in this month's updates. The hotline, which now operates only on a quarterly basis, will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Providers also can seek answers by e-mailing BetterCare@cms.hhs.gov. CMS sends Five-Star ratings updates each month to providers through their umbrella state sites supporting MDS information.

CMS proposes physician Medicare payment rate cut in 2010

July 02, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday proposed reducing Medicare payment rates for physicians by 21.5% in calendar year 2010. It also disclosed other physician payment reforms as part of the administration's healthcare reform agenda.

CMS nursing home guidance focuses on resident quality of life, environment and choice

June 22, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday issued new guidance for nursing home surveyors emphasizing the importance of resident quality of life and homelike environments.

CMS issues warning about Clarcon hand sanitizer products

June 22, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is warning healthcare workers to avoid using skin-sanitizing products manufactured by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory.

CMS notifies providers of Medicare scam at doctors' offices

June 19, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services alerted healthcare providers Thursday to a scam involving fake Medicare faxes to physician offices.

Obama opens the door for drastic new Medicare, Medicaid cuts for nursing homes

June 16, 2009

Frayed nerves were showing in the provider community Monday after President Obama announced his intentions Saturday to cut $313 billion more from Medicare and Medicaid over the next 10 years. The proposed new cuts are in addition to the $635 billion in Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions already included in the president's FY 2010 budget, and include billions in potential payment reductions.

Obama endorses letting Medicare Payment Advisory Commission set payment rates

June 08, 2009

The move to empower the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee to enact its own policy proposals gained significant traction last week when President Obama said in a letter to lawmakers that he would be open to the idea as a way to reduce healthcare costs.

MRSA thriving among one-quarter of nursing home residents, study results show

June 08, 2009

Nearly one in every four nursing home residents has been colonized by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to a recently published report from Queen's University Belfast.

Potentially inappropriate nursing home payments spur increased Medicare Part A, Part D oversight

June 08, 2009

Tens of millions of dollars were likely inappropriately paid to skilled nursing facilities through the Medicare Part D prescription drug program in 2006, according to a recently released report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.

Nursing home lobbyists urge lawmakers for change but don't expect long-term care reform

June 05, 2009

Hundreds of nursing home owners and operators blitzed congressional buildings in Washington on Thursday, pressing lawmakers for better Medicare payments, a halt to post-acute payment bundling system talk and other improvements. But one thing they weren't expecting to make much progress on was long-term care reform.

'National model' for Medicaid privatization fails to collect benchmark data, provides dismal healthcare, reports say

June 04, 2009

A Florida Medicaid privatization trial that is supposed to be a model for the rest of the nation is missing information on key results of the program, and it also provides sub-standard healthcare services, according to a recent report. Medicaid is the No. 1 payer of U.S. nursing home care. (McKnight's, 1/21)

CMS discloses next steps in durable medical equipment bidding process

June 02, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has unveiled a timeline for the "Round One Rebid" of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS).

CMS proposes delay of Medicaid provider-tax rule

June 01, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed delaying until July 1, 2010, the enforcement of a Medicaid rule that would limit the use of provider taxes.

Healthcare officials eliminate nursing home assessment protocols

May 28, 2009

It's a wrap on RAPs. Resident Assessment Protocols (RAPs) will be eliminated under a new assessment regimen in development, an official with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on Thursday.

New law eliminates fines for nursing homes that fix problems

May 28, 2009

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) this week enacted a law that eliminates fines against nursing homes that identify and correct health and safety issues on their own accord. The law sets out new rules and guidelines for a "quality assurance assessment" program.

CMS adds information for nursing homes on Five-Star system, RAC to Web site

May 26, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced a number of updates to its Web site. These include new information about the Five-Star rating system for nursing homes, which will become available Thursday, May 28.

CMS to post new nursing home Five-Star Quality Ratings

May 22, 2009

Nursing homes' newly updated star ratings will be made public Thursday on the Nursing Home Compare Web site. Providers have had since Wednesday to review their status and communicate any necessary clarifications or disagreements with federal regulators. Controversy over the Five-Star Quality Ratings has dogged the new ranking system, which most providers say is unfair. The preview week is an upgrade from the official rollout six months ago, when providers claimed members of the media received copies of the ratings before they did. Operators can access their facilities' ranking information through QIES, the umbrella Web site that supports MDS information.

Nursing home leaders to unveil new mentoring program at national conference

May 15, 2009

Major issues of the day, plus the start of a new mentoring program, will grab the spotlight at the 43rd annual convocation and exposition of the American College of Health Care Administrators this weekend and early next week. Administrators and other long-term care leaders will seek answers about the federal government's new Five-Star rating system, possible Obama administration policies and legislative hurdles at the event, which runs through Tuesday in Providence, RI. Dr. Vincent Mor, chairman of the Department of Community Health at Brown University's school of medicine, headlines as keynote speaker. Dr. Douglas Olson will introduce ACHCA's new mentoring program, through the Academy of Long Term Care Leadership and Development.

New injection of concern: Medicare Part A to become insolvent in 8 years, report says

May 13, 2009

If current trends continue, the Medicare Part A trust fund will become insolvent in 2017, according to the new annual report from the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees issued Tuesday.

Nursing home groups suggest $1 billion Medicare cuts could cost even more

May 13, 2009

Nursing home representatives and healthcare groups continued their attacks against a proposed FY 2010 $1.05 billion Medicare reduction on Tuesday with the release of a report indicating the cuts could carry additional billions of dollars in unintended costs and consequences for both patients and providers.

CMS threatens withholding stimulus funding if home health pay isn't reinstated

May 13, 2009

When the California state legislature act to reduce the state's maximum contribution to home healthcare workers' pay from $12.10 per hour to $10.10 per hour, it violated the terms of the recently passed federal stimulus package and therefore invalidates the state from receiving $6.8 billion in stimulus money, according to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ruling.

CMS releases draft version of MDS 3.0 for nursing homes

May 12, 2009

A draft version of the new MDS 3.0 for nursing homes and long-term care facilities was posted Monday on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Web site.

Obama proposes $17 billion in budget cuts, programs for the elderly and poor threatened

May 08, 2009

President Obama on Thursday proposed cuts of $17 billion from his new budget for both discretionary spending and entitlement programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Various interest groups are expected to spar over which of 121 federal programs being eliminated or significantly curtailed should be spared.

Nursing home operators howl as government proposes slashing Medicare payments by $1 billion

May 04, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services set off a backlash from nursing home operators late Friday afternoon when it proposed "adjustments" that would cut Medicare payments by $1.05 billion in fiscal 2010. The 3.3% reduction will "largely" be offset by a 2.1% market basket increase, officials said.

Report: Nursing home stocks weathering economy OK, but reimbursement concerns loom

April 27, 2009

At least a handful of for-profit nursing home companies' stock values are holding strong, despite an overall shaky economy, a new Dow Jones report notes. The key has been relatively stable Medicare and Medicaid payments, though there is concern about payment levels for fiscal 2010 that are expected to be announced around the end of the month, report authors note.

Government proposes cutting Medicare hospice payments 1.1%

April 23, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday proposed a rule that would trim Medicare hospice payments by 1.1% in FY 2010.

Expanded leverage for CMS could bolster healthcare reform, Senate told

April 23, 2009

The government could use Medicare to test new cost-saving, quality improving healthcare reform efforts, but it would have to give the program more leverage and flexibility, panelists testified at a recent Senate roundtable conference.

Minnix: CMS administrator vacancy delaying possible Five-Star rating system changes

April 22, 2009

The absence of a chief at the helm of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may be stymieing providers' attempts to persuade federal regulators to modify the new Five-Star Quality Rating System for nursing homes, a prominent provider advocate said this week.