Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
Sorry for borrowing (piece of) a soap opera title for this post but it is rather appropriate given the news that occurred over the past 30 days. Just this past week, I’ve been interviewed by two business newspapers and on the phone with an investment banking firm I consult with from time to time regarding … Read more
In another procedural vote on the revamped Jobs bill in the Senate, Democrats fell short of mustering 60 votes to end a Republican filibuster, effectively ending for now, legislative efforts to extend unemployment benefits. The vote count was 57 to 41 to continue debate. Dying with the extension of unemployment benefits are a series of … Read more
After a mid-week roadblock was established on a procedural vote all but derailing the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act and the integrated provisions that included a “doc fix”, the Senate doubled-back on Friday and passed a separate measure that patches the pending cuts (21%) in the physician fee schedule set for June 1. … Read more
As the Senate is set this week to take a vote on the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (see my related posts), a key provision within the legislation having to do with implementation of the SNF payment system known as RUGs-IV remains in limbo. The PPACA (health care reform bill) required implementation of … Read more
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
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
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