Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
Not too long ago I wrote a post for SNFs regarding “what to do” in preparation for October 1 rate reductions. Since then, I’ve fielded inquiries galore from all kinds of providers looking into a future that likely includes Medicare and certainly, Medicaid rate/payment reductions. In most cases, the answer that I provide is clearly … 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
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
OK readers and requesters, I haven’t gone, as Robert Frost wrote, into the “woods lovely, dark and deep” but I have been preoccupied by work and things familial. Sadly, energy wanes as one focuses intently on the delicate balance that is juggling a frenetic work schedule, a mile of other professional commitments, travel, and family. … Read more
On a party line vote, the House of Representatives passed legislation euphemistically coined the “jobs bill”. The $26 billion dollar legislation includes a $10 billion appropriation for state school budgets and $16 billion to continued the enhanced FMAP (Medicaid match) provided under the ARRA (Stimulus bill), set to expire on December 31. The vote was … Read more
On December 31st of this year, enhancements made to the Medicaid FMAP (Federal matching dollars) via the ARRA (Stimulus or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) are set to evaporate. In a series of bills and other legislative initiatives throughout the spring and early summer, Congress has failed to extend funding to prevent the evaporation of … Read more
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
Article I wrote for the National Healthcare Reform Magazine on the implications for Medicaid as a result of the expansion provisions under the health care reform law. Click on the link below (or copy and paste) to view the article. http://healthcarereformmagazine.com/article/health-reform-and-medicaid-expansion.html
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
Yesterday the Senate, via a procedural vote, set a roadblock on the continued track toward passage for the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act. The original version, re-crafted by the House to lower the price tag and then sent to the Senate, found limited traction on Wednesday. Oddly enough, the House version effectively trimmed … Read more