As we approach the conclusion of another transformative year, we are excited to present our comprehensive year-end review, shedding light on the trends shaping the healthcare market in 2023. Our team’s keen insights and...more
Applications are now open through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program to Support Healthcare Providers. Allocated funds will assist SNFs to purchase the necessary systems with which...more
On August 5, 2020, CMS issued its final rule updating FY2021 payment rates used under the prospective payment system (PPS) for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). The FY 2021 payment rates will be implemented to reflect the...more
On July 31, 2020, CMS issued Final Rule CMS-1737-F for fiscal year 2021, in its yearly update to Medicare payment policies for SNFs (the Final Rule). In addition to updating Medicare payment rates under the SNF prospective...more
On September 26, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Department of Health and Human Services published commentary and its final rule affecting how hospitals, including critical access hospitals (“CAHs”),...more
On July 16, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule, entitled “Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities: Regulatory Provisions To Promote Efficiency, and Transparency,” that, if...more
On December 31, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Final Rule that redesigns the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). The rule implementing this redesign, titled “Pathways to Success,”...more
A LOOK BACK... A LOOK AHEAD - While the uncertainty associated with legislative efforts to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) dominated most of the headlines for the healthcare industry last year,...more
Skilled nursing facilities (SNF) may see even more scrutiny from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) because of a recent audit conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and...more
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued an “Early Alert” regarding the preliminary results of an ongoing study of potential abuse or neglect in Medicare-certified skilled...more
On July 29, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule outlining FY17 Medicare payment policies and rates for the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS). The rule has...more
Like it or not, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expanding its strong commitment to focus on quality and care improvement as the basis for payment to providers throughout the continuum of care....more
Recent action by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announces significant change in reimbursement methodology for high volume orthopedic surgical procedures in many markets nationwide. Affected stakeholders...more
On June 5, 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) released another study in its continuing scrutiny of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and therapy services: Skilled Nursing...more
In This Issue: - ACO Eligibility Requirements - Establishing and Maintaining the ACO Participation Agreement - Data Sharing and Assignment of Beneficiaries - Shared Savings and Losses - Waivers of...more
The most recent Shared Savings Program final rule, published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2015, finalizes a number of the revisions to the original November 2011 final rule that CMS proposed on December 8, 2014. In...more
This is the first post in Health Care Law Today’s Series on the final rule. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released a final rule, on June 4, 2015, addressing changes to its Medicare Shared Savings...more
In early December, CMS released a final rule that implements certain provider (i.e., Hospitals, SNFs, physicians, etc.) and supplier (i.e., DME companies, etc.) enrollment requirements (“Rule”). The goal of CMS’...more
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced that the new RAC contracts in North Carolina should be ready by the end of the year. This means that, next year, RAC audits on hospitals and other providers will...more
Directed Plans of Correction, or DPOCs, have long been part of the arsenal of enforcement sanctions available to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for survey deficiencies, just like civil money penalties (CMPs);...more
On May 1, 2014, CMS released proposed payment and policy changes for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs), and Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPFs). Some of the key changes...more
CMS Proposes Payment Changes for Hospice Providers, SNFs, IRFs and Inpatient Psych Facilities – Last week, CMS issued proposed rules that would make certain payment and policy changes to the payment systems for...more
On May 1, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would include payment and policy changes for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) (Proposed SNF Rule). The Proposed SNF Rule would...more
In a highly publicized recent case in California, a registered nurse working in an independent living facility refused to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on an elderly resident who was experiencing respiratory...more
On November 6, 2013, CMS issued Transmittal No. 1311 which instructed Medicare Administrative Contractors (“MACs”) to reject claims for SNF to SNF ambulance transfers that are billed separately under Part B. According to CMS,...more