Policy

Editors Picks

CMMI rethinks its innovation program, sharpens focus for Round 2 funding

May 16, 2013     Pamela Tabar, Editor-in-Chief
news

CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announces a significantly smaller and more-focused project list for Round Two of the funding awards.

Senate confirms Marilyn Tavenner as permanent administrator of CMS

May 16, 2013     Mark Hagland, Healthcare Informatics
news

 Tavenner is the first permanent administrator of that federal agency to be confirmed in nearly a decade.

Medicare fraudsters nabbed in $223 million nationwide bust

May 15, 2013     Pamela Tabar, Editor-in-Chief
news

This week’s Medicare fraud sting operation involved nearly 100 people across multiple states, including physicians, nurses and therapists.

Skilled nursing: The continuing quest for quality

May 15, 2013     Sandra Hoban, Managing Editor
news

While quality and satisfaction scores have improved, skilled nursing facilities need to continue to improve and adapt to government policy and reimbursement cuts to survive.

Skilled care in the south of France

May 14, 2013     Gabriel Bach, PhD, MBA
article

Every country in the world--from Argentina to Zimbabwe--is confronted with the problem of caring for its elderly and paying for that care. Here's a firsthand look at how senior care is provided at a facility in France.

Featured Links

What 55+ consumers (don’t call them ‘seniors’) want in their living environments

Cost of dementia care exceeds U.S. cancer costs

Florida loses its court battle to override HIPAA requirements

May 6, 2013     Sandra Hoban, Managing Editor
news

Who is entitled to access a deceased person’s protected health information? In Florida, the state’s law allows access to a range of unauthorized representatives.

National hospice provider charged with false claims submissions

May 6, 2013     Charlene Marietti
news

Vitas Hospice Services is charged by DOJ with engaging in business practices that resulted in inappropriate patient admissions and upcoded claims submissions to Medicare.

CMS proposes $180 million increase in hospice reimbursements

May 1, 2013     Pamela Tabar, Senior Editor
news

CMS has proposed a new rule that would raise hospice payments under Medicare by $180 million next year.

Activists petition for safer bed rails in nursing homes

April 29, 2013     Pamela Tabar, Senior Editor
news

Bed rails are supposed to keep residents safe, but some advocates say stricter standards are needed to keep them from doing more harm than good.

A resurgence of fraud cases based on quality allegations

April 25, 2013     Jason E. Bring, Esq.
blog

Alleged poor quality charges are landing providers in the poorhouse. A look at cases based on poor quality of care and the subsequent verdicts handed down.

CMS sweetens the deal for fraud whistleblowers

April 25, 2013     Pamela Tabar, Senior Editor
news

Know about someone conducting sneaky Medicare billing practices? CMS’ new whistleblower proposal might pay you more than your boss does.

Senate committee approves Tavenner for CMS helm

April 24, 2013     Pamela Tabar, Senior Editor
news

Marilyn Tavenner has obtained a vote of confidence from a Senate committee in her bid to become the first confirmed administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in seven years.

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