What’s Trending: Last Friday in July

Opening celebration at the Olympics is catching most of the buzz today and the Dog Days of Summer are definitely full-on.  Still too much heat and not enough rain for my pleasure but August is around the corner and hopefully, some cooler weather.  If nothing else, I can rely on the Olympics to alter my … Read more

CBO Releases Updated ACA Score

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

CBO Score on Post-Court ACA Implications Due Today

Later today, the Congressional Budget Office is set to release an updated “score” of the Affordable Care Act (PPACA) incorporating the decision of the Supreme Court.  The fundamental reason for the update is the Court’s decision to invalidate a provision within the Act that would have penalized states via reduced federal Medicaid funding should one or more opt … Read more

What’s Trending: A Hot Friday Perspective

Seems every day this month has been hot and dry – could use a break from the heat  and definitely, some prolonged rain.  Within the past couple of weeks, I’ve traveled “rural” a bit and as a result, I have a different perspective on what farmers and ranchers in the middle-section of the country are struggling … Read more

An Omission from Friday

Every once in a while, I make a mistake (rare I think but others when asked, would convey a different sentiment).  This gaff is really an omission; a missed thought from Friday’s post on “What’s Trending”.  In reviewing my notes (the mess that they can be), I noticed I forgot to include a “watch” tip for … Read more

What’s Trending: A Friday the 13th in July Perspective

Back after a week of vacation (sort of) and then a week of scramble to catch up, here’s the latest that I am watching and that I find trending from readers and clients. Medicaid and Health Care Reform: Oddly, this has been a Medicaid week for me on a number of fronts.  The Supreme Court decision … Read more

Post-Acute Issues Worth Watching

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

Medicare Fraud and Why; Part II

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

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

Current Policy Trends to Watch

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