Nursing home operators can now access a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services webpage dedicated to the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement initiative.
Federal judge to troubled operator: Exhaust other options before you make a federal case
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 11, 2013
A facility with a history of safety deficiencies must exhaust its administrative options before seeking relief in the courtroom, a district court judge ruled. Moreover, the requested temporary injunction...
Data mandated for dual eligibles outlined as states move to managed care
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jun 10, 2013
Dual eligible managed care plans involved in an upcoming Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services demonstration project will need to submit data in a variety of areas, the agency explained in a draft statement...
CMS crackdown doubles Medicare removals
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 07, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has removed 14,663 healthcare providers and suppliers from the Medicare program in the last two years, the agency announced Thursday. The figure more than doubles...
New MDS training video addresses discharge assessments, use of dashes
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 06, 2013
Providers can now access a training video on discharge assessments and how to properly code using dashes in the Minimum Data Set, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Thursday.
Ask the payment expert … about quality and reimbursement correlations
By
Patricia Boyer
Jun 01, 2013
How can the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services correlate quality of care and reimbursement?
You always need to remember that Medicare is an insurance plan. As such, Medicare has rules, just like...
Providers refocus on 15% drug reduction
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2013
Skilled nursing providers fell short of reaching a 15% reduction in off-label antipsychotic use by the end of 2012, the American Health Care Association formally announced last month. However, AHCA did...
CMS to revise audit practices
By
John O'Connor
Jun 01, 2013
Here’s the good news for providers dealing with Recovery Audit Program contractors: The federal government will make fewer additional document requests, starting this month. Now the not-so-good news:...
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.
Things heating up in case of the runny eggs
By
John O'Connor
Jun 03, 2013
Looks like CMS and nursing home inspectors have more than a little egg on their face, thanks to a recent circuit court ruling in favor of a wrongly accused operator.