Articles and Blogs

As part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ongoing program to reduce the rate of anti-psychotic use in nursing facilities, the recent changes to the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) website included reports of the usage rates of anti-psychotics in a facility’s score.  However, there is a discrepancy between the methodologies utilized... READ MORE

On June 29, 2012, The Joint Commission (“TJC”) released proposed requirements for the certification (“Certification Requirements”) of Primary Care Medical Homes, also known as Patient Centered Medical Homes (“PCMH”).  Although the certification will not be available until early 2013, TJC is seeking comments on the Certification Requirements until August 10, 2012. READ MORE

Need a quick reference to find specific contacts at Medicare organizations that service your state? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published an interactive Provider Compliance Group Map. Should you have any questions, please contact: Todd Selby at 317.977.1440 or tselby@hallrender.com; Brian Jent at 317.977.1402 or bjent@hallrender.com; or David Bufford at 502.568.9368 or dbufford@hallrender.com, or your regular... READ MORE

Data collected and analyzed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) since 2010, indicate that home health agencies (HHAs) are predisposed to commit Medicare fraud, waste and abuse. In 2010, Medicare inappropriately paid $5 million for erroneous claims submitted by HHAs. With one in four claims being suspect, the OIG established six (6) criteria... READ MORE

The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care (AQNHC) released the results of a study conducted concerning the future of skilled nursing facility (SNF) reimbursement.  While SNF providers have recently seen their reimbursement rates improve, the study report projects SNF providers are facing $65 billion in reimbursement cuts over the next ten years. The reimbursement... READ MORE

On August 1, 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published a display copy of the Final Rule for the FFY 2013 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (“PPS”).  Hospitals will see an approximately 2.3% net increase in payments in FFY 2013. Documentation and Coding Adjustment CMS continues to refine payments via documentation and... READ MORE

Hall Render is pleased to announce attorney Colleen McKinley has been appointed to the Kentucky Rural Health Association’s Board of Directors for the 2012 – 2013 year.  The role of the KRHA Board is to fulfill the mission of the organization through advocacy and by providing education and leadership to the membership on key... READ MORE

“Quickie Election Rule” – NLRB Loses Round 2 The NLRB has lost another round in the battle over its so-called “Quickie Election Rule.”  The federal court that on May 14, 2012 put a halt to the NLRB’s rule that would have speeded up union elections in the private sector (see our Employment Law News Article) rebuffed... READ MORE

Hall Render is pleased to announce attorney Kendra Conover has been selected as one of 25 participants in the Bar Leader Series, an 8-month program sponsored by the Indianapolis Bar Association. The Series is designed to develop leadership skills in new attorneys through intense seminars, development sessions and community projects led by prominent members... READ MORE

After facing significant reimbursement cuts last year, skilled nursing facility (SNF) providers have reason to celebrate after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the FY 2013 SNF Prospective Payment System (PPS) schedule.  Effective October 1st of this year, SNF providers can expect a 1.8% increase in their PPS reimbursement.  While a modest bump,... READ MORE