More empty beds: Medicare patients further weaken demand for skilled nursing
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 16, 2018
Medicare beneficiaries are spending fewer per-capita days in skilled nursing facilities since 2009, according to a new analysis released Thursday.
Hospital visits drop by 25%
By
Jun 05, 2017
Potentially avoidable hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries have dropped 25% since 2013, according to the “America’s Health Ranking Senior Report” from the United Health Foundation.
Largest US hospital chain to pay $98 million in observation stay case
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 06, 2014
The nation’s largest hospital organization has agreed to a $98 million settlement to resolve charges that it overbilled by admitting individuals as inpatients rather than keeping them under observation,...
Structured home care program reduced SNF stays 27%, hospital finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 06, 2014
A hospital substantially reduced Medicare costs and skilled nursing facility stays by providing more primary care in frail elders’ homes, according to study findings published in the Journal of the...
Medicare should pay for skilled nursing services without a qualifying hospital stay, experts tell Senators
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 31, 2014
The time has come to eliminate hospital stay requirements for beneficiaries to qualify for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing services, experts told a Senate committee Wednesday.
Bill addressing admission status receives praise
By
Stephanie H. Kim
Jul 30, 2014
A bill that would require hospitals to give patients a formal notice of their admission status has received strong support from healthcare associations.
22% of beneficiaries return to hospital
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 01, 2014
A large number of rehabilitation patients seek hospital care shortly after being discharged from a nursing facility, according to recent research.
CMS to host webinars on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding
Dec 03, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will hold three webinars to explain the Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program, which began in nine areas on Jan. 1, 2011.
Progress in the hospital ‘observation stay’ chaos
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2013
When you complain about bizarre government conditions or regulations, as columnists are wont to do, you usually have to assume you’re just whispering into a stiff wind. But now comes word that no...