Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
Information and discussion on general federal health policy and politics – including Medicare, Health Reform and all other subjects Fed.
Prior to the Memorial Day recess (holiday), the House passed its re-shaped version of the bill. The re-shaping primarily involved spending constraints; reaction to wide-spread criticism (public) of current (and recent) Congressional deficit spending binges as well as a realization that fall elections draw ever closer. Specifically, what the House did was: Abandoned any additional … Read more
Funny title that is rather misleading given the gravity of the health care/post-acute care provisions that are included in this bill. As is the case in Washington, especially these days, important health care provisions not addressed in the PPACA are coming forward in other bills; particularly bills involving unemployment benefits and COBRA benefits, etc. Such is … Read more
In 1998, CMS created the Special Focus Facility initiative or program designed to target or focus attention on improving the poorest performing facilities (performance defined by survey/compliance history). Each state selects up to 15 of the poorest performing facilities until the program reaches its cap or maximum of 136 facilities. The requirements from CMS to … Read more
My last post covered CMS’ proposed rule affecting LTAcHs in fiscal year 2011 (October 1, 2010). In this post I noted that CMS’ proposed rule included a disclaimer that any impacts related to the PPACA (health reform) were not included and as a result, CMS would from time to time, release updates providing additional guidance. … Read more
Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule for rates and other policy changes for FY 2011 (October 1, 2010) as applicable to Medicare inpatient stays within long-term acute care hospitals (LTAcH). The entire rule can be found at http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx#special. In their release, CMS noted that the proposed rule does … Read more
When the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) became law, a provision within adds a new dimension to the rules on self-referral and refund requirements of overpayment (Medicare) contained within the Stark Law. Specifically, the PPACA requires the Secretary of HHS to develop a new self-disclosure protocol whereby health care providers can disclose known (or found) … Read more
As a follow-up to a post from last week regarding pending cuts in Part B therapy rates, last evening the House passed a bill that the Senate had passed earlier in the day, included within is a provision to delay the pending cuts to the physician fee schedule until June 1. The provision is tucked … Read more
With Congress on recess, the temporary extension of the Part B therapy rate cuts ended on March 31. As of today, with Congress still on “holiday”, the Part B therapy rate cuts remain in effect. Best knowledge has it that Congress is working on another temporary extension that would retro to April 1 and last through April 30. … Read more
In a bit of an indirect manner, Assisted Living got a boost from health care reform, albeit in a typical governmental fashion. With the Feds willing to use Medicaid as the vehicle for expanded coverage programs for underinsured (those within 150% of the poverty limit with high-deductible plans) and the uninsured, coupled with additional funding for Home … Read more
I’m a tad behind where I hoped to be in terms of getting these posts out. Its been a bit busy over the last ten days or so but headed into the Holiday weekend, a break in the schedule affords me the opportunity to “maybe” get caught up. Of all of the industry sectors touched by … Read more