Nursing Home Compare 3.0: Revisions to the Nursing Home Compare 5-Star Quality Rating System
5 Star Quality Rating System Changes from CMS
Posted on: February 19, 2015
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CMS to Overhaul 5-Star Nursing Home Rating System
Posted on: October 8, 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has big plans for an overhaul of the five-star nursing home rating system, thanks to the passage of the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act, which President Obama signed into law today.
CMS RELEASES FINAL RULE FOR 2014
Posted on: December 18, 2013
QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE ALERT!
New CPT Evaluation Codes for SLPs
Posted on: November 22, 2013
Effective January 1, 2014, CPT code 92506 will no longer be available for billing practice. CPT code 92506 is used for billing for the evaluation of speech, language, voice, communication, and/or auditory processing. This code is considered an “umbrella” code and will be replaced with four new, more specific evaluation codes related to language, speech sound production, voice and resonance, and fluency disorders.
HealthPRO® Rehabilitation and Heritage Healthcare Inc. Merger
Posted on: November 4, 2013
November 1, 2013 – Representatives from HealthPRO® Rehabilitation and Heritage Healthcare announced this week that the two companies have merged.
Appealing a Denial for Skilled Therapy Services
Posted on: October 25, 2013
Appealing a denial for skilled therapy services can be a daunting task rife with stress.
However, most Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs) or Medicare Administrative
Contractors (MACs) send specific guidance on information they need to see in a
denial. As this information sometimes differs, the following is an outline of
general information that many have found to be helpful.
CHANGES TO PAYMENT RATES AND POLICIES AFFECTING ACUTE-CARE HOSPITALS
Posted on: September 12, 2013
In August, in its Final Hospital Inpatient Rule, CMS clarified how payments will be
provided for inpatient status, as some Medicare beneficiaries are seen under the
observation stay status as compared to inpatient status, which prevents them
from reaching the three-day qualifying stay required to have skilled nursing
services covered. This clarification will help determine when the
hospital inpatient status should be extended to a patient. The expectation with
this final rule is that Medicare beneficiaries who are able to receive
inpatient Medicare Part A coverage status will increase. These changes will be
effective for hospital discharges that occur on or after October 1, 2013.
The Role of Rehabilitation in Developing Acute and Post-Acute Strategic Partnerships
Posted on: June 25, 2013
Amidst the ever-changing landscape of healthcare reform, post-acute care providers are wisely becoming more strategic about forming partnerships with their community of referring hospitals, along with other post acuter care (PAC) providers. This collaboration is critical for ensuring the continuum of care. Moreover, providers must demonstrate a distinct value proposition for those hospitals looking to form Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Building these relationships requires short-term and long term strategic development planning and initiatives that involve all levels of care, inclusive of a facility's Rehabilitation Team. Providers must leverage a robust Rehabilitation Department to help drive quality integration with referring hospitals and physician groups.
Manual Medical Review of Therapy Claims Above the $3,700 Threshold
Posted on: March 26, 2013
On March 21, 2013, CMS updated its Therapy Cap Services webpage with the final guidance on Manual Medical Review (MMR) for therapy claims above $3,700. Below is the policy posted by CMS.
CCRCs Tapping Revenue Streams, Offering Onsite Therapy & Rehab
Posted on: February 8, 2013
Senior care communities are looking for ways to drive revenue through ancillary services, and many are turning to on-site rehabilitation and therapy as strategy to counteract shrinking Medicare reimbursement margins for skilled nursing care.
