Compliance

Medicare Fraud and Why; Part II

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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

Medicare, Fraud and Why: Perspectives on the Post-Acute Industry

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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

OIG on Hospice: Restructure Hospice Payments for SNF Residents

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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

Hospice Contracts in SNFs: Survey Reminders for the SNF

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Due to a fair amount of travel recently, I’m a tad behind in pushing out updates, etc.  Despite my rather harried schedule, I have kept track of questions, issues, etc. and in the next week to ten days, I will endeavor to get caught up.  Please know that I do appreciate the comments and questions … Read more

RUGs III to RUGs IV: The Core of “Need to Know”

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In the past month with October 1 looming closer, I’ve been fielding lots of questions regarding the transition from RUGs III to RUGs IV.  Instead of listing the questions and trying to recap my answers (my memory is good but not that good), I’ve settled on an overview or “summary”; the core of what SNFs … Read more

Due Diligence and Acquisitions: A Review of Common Pitfalls

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A regular, although not necessarily routine, exercise that I go through is a re-evaluation of recent acquisitions in the senior housing/long-term care industry to see “how they are doing or performing” post transaction.  Perhaps the primary reason that I do this is my curiosity regarding the effectiveness of the due diligence process and the accuracy … Read more

Compliance, the Courts and a Risk Reminder

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In previous posts I’ve written about the need for providers in all industry sectors to fully understand the compliance and legal risks that are inherent to the appropriate industry sector, as well as to health care today in general.  As someone who has been immersed in health care operations and health policy for the past … Read more

As the Home Health and Hospice World Turns: Part I

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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

Five Things Every Administrator Should Focus On

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I had a phone conversation earlier today with a friend and colleague (he’s part owner of a rehab consulting and management company) and as we talked, the conversation reminded me about the host of issues facing health care administrators.  Our conversation flowed to long-term care and specifically, SNFs (he spends a lot of his time … Read more

Stark, Health Care Reform and Updated Compliance Requirements

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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