Articles and Blogs

President Obama introduced his fiscal year (“FY”) 2015 budget yesterday, and there are many proposed cuts to post-acute care providers.  Some of the highlights include a number of bundled payment initiatives, a $100 co-pay for home health patients not discharged from a hospital and re-admission penalties for skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”) with high hospital... READ MORE

On June 1, 2014, Indiana will change the way Indiana residents obtain Medicaid coverage in the age, blind or disabled categories.  Currently, when Indiana residents apply for Medicaid coverage, they are subject to state-specific restrictive criteria.   After June 1, 2014, Indiana residents will automatically be enrolled in Medicaid if the Federal Social Security Administration... READ MORE

On August 2, 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued an update to the State Operations Manual (“SOM”) regarding the process for notification of a facility closure.  The updates to the SOM are the result of a final rule published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2013 and can be... READ MORE

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”), in the March 8, 2013 Memorandum, issued new guidance specifying those tasks that can and cannot be delegated in skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”) and nursing facilities (“NFs”).  Physicians who improperly assign tasks to non-physician practitioners (“NPPs”) jeopardize the SNFs’ and NFs’ compliance with federal and state... READ MORE

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented changes to Internet-based PECOS to allow providers easier access to information. The following enhancements are now available: 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

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report this morning detailing issues found in the use of antipsychotics in nursing facilities.  Utilizing a sample of records from January through June of 2007, the OIG found over 99% of records reviewed failed to meet one or more Federal requirements.   READ MORE

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just released the 2012 Nursing Home Action Plan; a guide for CMS’ efforts to continue to improve nursing home safety and quality.  The plan features 5 actionable strategies, including: enhance consumer engagement; strengthen survey processes, standards, and enforcement; promote quality improvement; create strategic approaches through partnerships; and... READ MORE

Recently, the Indiana State Department of Administration, on behalf of Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), signed contracts with four law firms for Indiana Medicaid estate recovery. FSSA divided the contracts into three regions: Northern Indiana, Central Indiana, and Southern Indiana. Cases will be assigned by Indiana’s Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning... READ MORE

As a means of improving care to residents residing in Medicare/Medicaid nursing facilities, CMS announced on March 15, 2012 an initiative to help reduce avoidable hospitalizations.  Organizations interested in participating in this initiative must submit an application to CMS by June 14, 2012. The goal of the initiative is to improve care for residents... READ MORE