Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
One week from today is the national election for president, every seat in the House of Representatives, and one-third of the Senate. Additionally, there are numerous gubernatorial elections and local or state-wide races at issue. No other nation on the face of the earth affords, nay protects, the rights of all of its citizens to … Read more
Heading into round 2 of a three round debate format (tonight), I think its time to put a few core concepts on paper (or e-media in this case) for folks to remember about this political season. My role or task here is not to be partisan (your decision suffices on this front) but to be … Read more
Off the golf course (reluctantly) and back to work. Last week was full of catching up and revisiting issues and reports. As promised before I went temporarily AWOL, here’s Part I of at least two parts (maybe three) of issues that I am following. Politics and the First Tuesday in November: The conventions are done and … Read more
Finally, my plans and I collide again on a Friday afternoon and I’m somewhat back on schedule … for now. With forecasted travel next week plus a touch of R&R time, it looks like I’ll be back off-track before long. We’ll see. Not a lot different on my dashboard as this week concludes. I’m pretty much awash … Read more
Probably the biggest trend as of late is my tardiness in getting these posts out on-time…sorry. My end of the week (last week) got distorted as I needed to attend a meeting with regard to a Medicaid shift in Kansas from fee-for-service to “managed”. As I have been through these conversions or switches before, it’s … Read more
Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office released their updated score of the ACA post the Supreme Court ruling. Substantively, the only reason or need for an update is the Court’s tweak concerning Medicaid expansion; allowing states to opt-out of expansion. See my post from earlier this week for a bit more information on the Court’s ruling and … Read more
Literally fresh off of a significant rate adjustment/reduction in October (2011), Medpac (the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission) releases a recommendation for complete SNF payment overhaul. In their assessment of the SNF payment system under Medicare, Medpac concludes the following; Medicare payments to SNFs represent 23% of all revenues. Medicare (payer) as a share of SNF patient … 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
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
On Friday, CMS released its Final Rule regarding FY 2012 SNF PPS reimbursement. The Final Rule implements a reduction or “cut” in SNF PPS payments equal to 11.1% or $3.87 billion. The 11.1% reduction is based on 2011 rates and spending/outlays. In their proposed final rule published in May, CMS alluded to the real possibility that … Read more