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Donald Berwick

Berwick decries Medicare and Medicaid fraud and waste in parting interview

December 06, 2011

On the heels of his departure from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Donald Berwick, M.D., said he came to Washington with an agenda to eliminate waste from the system.

Nursing home provider groups hail Tavenner's appointment

November 29, 2011

Nursing home groups have shown strong support for the appointment of Marilyn Tavenner to replace Donald Berwick, M.D. as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Obama administration offers up $1 billion for hiring and training healthcare workers

November 15, 2011

The Obama administration announced Monday the availability of $1 billion in grants for innovative healthcare organizations and projects that can train and hire workers quickly.

CMS responds to state Medicaid directors' calls for help

November 11, 2011

State Medicaid directors should refrain from making short-term cuts, and instead focus on long-term changes in partnership with the federal government, the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said this week.

Letter: State Medicaid directors want more help from feds

November 03, 2011

State Medicaid directors want more help from the federal government in implementing expanded Medicaid eligibility requirements, according to a letter sent to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.

McKnight's interviews CMS chief Donald Berwick on camera

October 26, 2011

Video footage of McKnight's Editorial Director John O'Connor interviewing Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick, M.D. can now be seen at www.mcknights.com.

Medicare and Medicaid chief tells long-term care providers: CMS is on their side

October 19, 2011

Improving the quality of care and targeting waste and fraud are priorities for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, chief Donald Berwick, M.D. told a large group of long-term care providers Tuesday.

Current healthcare costs can't be maintained, administration official says

September 12, 2011

Current U.S. healthcare costs are unsustainably high for the relative value being provided — particularly for low-income individuals —Donald Berwick, M.D., administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Thursday.

Rehab facilities see reimbursement increase tied to quality measures

August 02, 2011

Inpatient rehab facilities will see a 2.2% payment rate increase under the IRF Prospective Payment System in fiscal year 2012. The system will also establish a new quality reporting system authorized by the Affordable Care Act.

CMS plans to cut Medicare payments by 11.1%, starting Oct. 1

July 29, 2011

Medicare payments to nursing homes would be trimmed by 11.1% beginning Oct. 1, under a corrective proposal the federal government issued on Friday. The call for reduced funding comes amid reports that providers have been paid more than $2 billion above federal projections since a new payment system took effect late last year.

OIG report: Correct nursing home Medicare pay 'immediately'

July 12, 2011

Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities increased unexpectedly by $2.1 billion (16%) during the first six months of fiscal 2011, according to a new report issued by the Office of the Inspector General. The OIG has asked Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick to take "immediate action" to correct this overpayment.

CMS issues final rule on Medicaid payments for preventable injuries and illness

June 02, 2011

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule Wednesday that will reduce or prohibit Medicaid payments to doctors, hospitals or other healthcare providers for services that resulted in preventable healthcare-acquired illness or injury.

Senators request ACO rule withdrawal

May 25, 2011

Seven Republican Senators have asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to withdraw a proposed regulation creating accountable care organizations, according to a letter released Tuesday.

HHS announces new Medicare-Medicaid cost control initiatives

May 12, 2011

A new program from the Department of Health and Human Services will seek to improve care of dual-eligibles, the agency said Wednesday.

Inspector General report: 1 in 7 nursing home residents are incorrectly prescribed psychotropic medications

May 11, 2011

As many as one in seven elderly nursing home residents, most of whom have dementia, are being prescribed expensive, powerful antipsychotic medications that increase the risk of death, according to a report from the federal Office of the Inspector General. Providers counter that the research reflects outdated practices.

HHS gives states $15 million to improve care for dual-eligibles

April 18, 2011

Using funds from the Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it has given 15 states $1 million each to help coordinate and improve care for "dual-eligibles." Many dual-eligibles (individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid) are in long-term care settings and are among the country's sickest and poorest individuals.

HHS announces private-public alliance to improve transition of care

April 13, 2011

Health and Human Services Department Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the creation of a new private-public alliance called Partnerships for Patients yesterday, saying it has the potential to prevent 1.8 million patient injuries and save the lives of 60,000 patients over the next three years.

Feds: ACO regulations will tie quality to savings

April 01, 2011

Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services released long awaited proposed accountable care regulations yesterday, estimating it could save Medicare millions over the next three years.

Regulations for Accountable Care Organizations due by the end of next week, federal official says

March 23, 2011

A top deputy at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Tuesday that the agency hopes to issue draft regulations concerning accountable care organizations by the end of the month.

Berwick supporters urge Obama, Senate to hold confirmation hearings

March 22, 2011

Embattled Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick received a shot of support recently from a number of high-profile colleagues in the medical field, according to news sources.

Baucus says Berwick won't be confirmed; new CMS administrator to be nominated?

March 09, 2011

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), the lawmaker who would preside over any Donald Berwick confirmation hearing, has admitted defeat in the ongoing fight to keep Berwick in charge at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

CMS's Berwick defends Medicare Advantage projections

February 11, 2011

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick surprised lawmakers Thursday when he reported better-than-expected Medicare Advantage enrollment numbers. In just his second occasion before a Congressional panel, Berwick appeared before the U.S. House Ways and Means committee to discuss how the Affordable Care Act will impact seniors.

Proposed federal rule would grant nursing home residents, therapy patients more power to complain about 'poor' care

February 04, 2011

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed a new rule that would require an expanded class of providers and suppliers of Medicare services to alert beneficiaries to the existence of quality improvement organizations (QIOs). Previously, only hospitals and select others had been obligated to do so.

Obama renominates Berwick to head CMS, contentious hearings promised

January 28, 2011

President Obama announced Wednesday that he has renominated Donald Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, six months after naming him chief during a Congressional recess. The first time, Obama bypassed what promised to be contentious Senate confirmation hearings. But this week's move is expected to put Berwick back on the hot seat with many lawmakers.

HHS launches multiple chronic conditions initiative

December 16, 2010

Help is on the way for Americans who suffer from multiple chronic conditions, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Berwick's remarks offer insight into his healthcare worldview

Liza Berger November 19, 2010

Dr. Donald Berwick of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may not have said enough to satisfy some members of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, but he arguably presented some pretty defined views on healthcare.

Senate Finance Committee may question Berwick about healthcare reform

November 12, 2010

Donald Berwick, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, likely will field questions about healthcare reform when he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee next week.

HHS holds summit on healthcare reform's impact on quality

October 05, 2010

The Department of Health and Human Services Monday hosted the National Summit on Health Care Quality and Value in Washington, D.C.

Government releases funding to help older adults navigate long-term care

September 28, 2010

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Monday said $68 million in grant money is available to help seniors, the disabled and their caregivers better understand options for long-term care.