Readmissions of seniors to a hospital within a month of discharge declined in 2013, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Sebelius resigns as administration touts ACA enrollment numbers
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 11, 2014
Kathleen Sebelius is resigning as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, White House officials confirmed to news outlets Thursday.
McDermott urges RAC penalties for successfully appealed decisions
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 21, 2014
Medicare recovery audit contractors should face financial penalties when providers successfully challenge their decisions, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) stated in a recent letter to the head of the Health...
Jimmo and the future of rehab
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Nov 07, 2013
On Jan. 24 of this year, the Jimmo vs. Sebelius class action lawsuit was settled. This was a significant win for us, the healthcare providers. As we continue to work out the details, I feel now is a good...
Forecast error costs SNFs $320 million
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 01, 2013
The nation’s skilled nursing facilities can expect an aggregate $500 million boost in Medicare payments next year — $320 million less than the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed.
Settlement will expand therapy
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 02, 2013
It’s official: A federal judge approved a settlement agreement the last week of January that will allow Medicare patients to continue receiving therapy services even if they are not making measurable...
IT Update
Mar 02, 2013
Timothy Bickmore, Ph.D., will address how computerized characters can provide support to providers during an upcoming free webinar. “Avatars in senior care settings” will begin at 1 p.m. ET...
The mythical standard
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 01, 2013
The Jimmo vs. Sebelius case, filed in January 2011 in federal district court in Vermont, has now been settled. The class action lawsuit challenged Medicare’s use of an “improvement standard”...
HHS awards states $285 million to support formation of innovative care and payment models
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 25, 2013
The Department of Health and Human Services will award $285 million for 25 states to innovate healthcare delivery and payment systems, the agency announced on Feb. 21. In many of these states, long-term...
Judge grants final approval of Jimmo settlement
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 25, 2013
Marking another step toward guaranteeing Medicare coverage for nursing home residents needing skilled services, a federal judge on Thursday approved the October 2012 settlement agreement in Jimmo v. Sebelius.