Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
Updates, policy and news in the Hospice industry.
In my recent work and across recent discussions, phone conferences, etc., I’ve encountered a thematic trend; a circle of issues or as in reference to geese, perhaps a gaggle. Doing a bit of research and sifting through notes written over the past few weeks, here is what is trending. Pharmacy: In October of last year, … Read more
Last week I published a post regarding Medicare fraud that is occurring in the post-acute industry. The post is available at http://wp.me/ptUlY-ak . At the end, I indicated that I would provide a follow-up post; a closer piece more succinct on why the fraud trend is heating up and what the drivers for this trend are. In … Read more
What never ceases to amaze me is the amount of post-news discussion that occurs when certain issues rise to the front-page (or near the front page). Seemingly, industry side-liners awaken and look in disbelief that one major provider organization or another is again, embroiled in some OIG investigation, lawsuit or official inquiry concerning their Medicare … Read more
A common question I am fielding has to do with the current “no growth” pattern of hospice census; in some cases, decline is more operative of the pattern. Briefly, there are a number of factors at play, some recurring themes and some driven by more aggressive CMS intervention. The biggest culprit in the current no-growth … Read more
In response to a recent series of questions from multiple segments of the health care and post-acute industry plus my own experiences within the landscape of providers and policy makers, I’ve summarized a current list of policy trends “pay attention to”. Medicare Cuts and the Super Committee: Nothing seems to loom larger or cast a … Read more
Not too long ago I wrote a post for SNFs regarding “what to do” in preparation for October 1 rate reductions. Since then, I’ve fielded inquiries galore from all kinds of providers looking into a future that likely includes Medicare and certainly, Medicaid rate/payment reductions. In most cases, the answer that I provide is clearly … Read more
OK, the title is a bit wordy and trust me, I could have included more “posts” but I think I got the point across. First, I’ll admit to having a crystal ball however, the picture I see is a bit like the first (and only) television set I remember having as a kid: Not in … Read more
This past week, the OIG released a report that represents a more definitive study of hospice payments and utilization trends under Medicare. The report is effectively a follow-up to recommendations made in MedPac’s annual report(s) to Congress. The report provides a review of OIG’s analysis of the growth of Medicare covered hospice patients over the … Read more
Suffice to say, I am behind in getting this post “out”. My best intentions of a month or so ago were quickly dashed by other more pressing commitments. Nonetheless, I did read the proposed regulations as produced by the Department of Health and Human Services/CMS on April 7 and worked through a stack of research on the subject of Accountable … Read more
Most hospices I talk with are finding census gains difficult these days. As I’ve written before, a number of factors are conspiring at the moment to keep census somewhat depressed and referrals tough to come by. With a struggling economy, all providers are looking for paying patient days. Referrals that should (or would) routinely go … Read more