As expected, SNFs will receive a 1% increase in federal payments for FY 2018, roughly $370 million more than they received in FY 2017. Though the increase amount doesn’t come as a surprise with its original proposal being published back in April, it’s much lower than the $800 million that was proposed for SNFs last year. The final rule, confirming the payment increase, published in the Federal Register on August 4, also mirrors other changes to SNFs’ quality programs laid out in a proposed rule published by CMS in April. Medicare’s hospice payments, adjusted for inflation and other factors, will rise an estimated 1% in 2018, according to the final hospice payment rule posted Aug. 1. Managed care organizations (MCO) are breaking new ground when it comes to controlling and reducing long-term healthcare costs, changing the way care is delivered in today’s skilled nursing facility (SNF). With the number of managed care beneficiaries increasing every year and continual changes in how care is administered and reimbursed, it’s essential that SNFs understand best practices for optimizing managed care partnerships to increase their revenue and avoid losing substantial sums of money. Registration for the Certified Director of Assisted Living (CDAL) exam is now open for the September-December testing window. The testing period will run from September 15, 2017 to December 15, 2017. The application deadline is November 1, 2017, and the late application deadline is November 15, 2017 (and requires a $50 late fee). The moratoria — which covers the metropolitan areas of Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, Detroit, Dallas, Houston and Chicago — was extended because the risk of fraud and abuse persists in those areas, according to the Federal Register July 28. A three-day bootcamp for long-term care administrators? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below or take a minute to answer “yes” or “no” to our polling question in the right hand sidebar located on our homepage. We want to hear from you! The long-anticipated website launched by OSHA for publication of electronic injury and illness reports is officially open for business. The website was promised as part of a final rule that took effect January 1 of this year, establishing new anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation laws to prevent employers from discouraging employees from reporting work-related injuries and illness. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandates that the facility must provide for an ongoing program of activities designed to meet, in accordance with the comprehensive assessment, the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident. Therefore, it stands to reason that after-hours activities (meaning when activity staff are not on duty) should be offered. Other Post-Acute News How do I build a partnership with a managed care organization? Managed care organizations (MCO) are breaking new ground when it comes to controlling and reducing long-term healthcare costs, changing the way care is delivered in today’s skilled nursing facility (SNF). With the number of managed care beneficiaries increasing every year and continual changes in how care is administered and reimbursed, it’s essential that SNFs understand best practices for optimizing managed care partnerships to increase their revenue and avoid losing substantial sums of money. New in the July issue of PPS Alert for Long-Term Care: If the tooth fits -- New denture regulation requires added policies and better dental care Rolling out with Phase 2 of the new survey process (effective November 28, 2017) is a regulation that will talk a big gameliterally. The new mandate intends to ensure that residents are receiving the care and services necessary for proper denture and dental health. Critical thinking in home health: Skills to assess, analyze, and act Many home health nurses come with a lack of critical thinking experience. Industry experts collaborate to provide strategies to teach these individuals critical thinking skills, how to lead training during orientation, and how to apply it to the home health setting. Putting the pressure on pressure injury prevention Pressure injuries and documentation are often among the most frequently cited survey deficiencies, and wound care is the subject of continuous research. Most recently, in April 2016, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) approved revisions to its Pressure Injury Staging System. | | Product Spotlight Skilled Nursing Facility Billing Boot Camp provides hands-on, how-to education focusing on billing for Medicare Part A and B, the ins and outs of consolidated billing, accurately completing the UB-04. Plus, guidance on understanding the SNF coverage criteria and a breakdown of the different beneficiary notices. Attendees will be able to return to their facility with the tools they need to understand the latest billing and reimbursement regulations, plus how to navigate the many billing processes to ensure their SNF is receiving appropriate reimbursement for services provided. Billers Association Members (BAM) save 10% off the registration fee! |
| SIGN UP | FORWARD | ADVERTISE | | | Upcoming CMS Events Monday, August 7, 2:00pm - 3:00 pm, ET - Quality Reporting Program: Review and Correct Reports Refresher Training Webinar Wednesday, August 16 from 1:30 pm to 3 pm, ET - Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Model Expansion Listening Session Thursday, August 17, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, ET - IMPACT Act: Drug Regimen Review Measure Overview for the Home Health Quality Reporting Program Call Wednesday, August 23, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, ET - Comparative Billing Report on Drugs of Abuse Testing Webinar Thursday, September 7, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, ET - Nursing Home Facility Assessment Tool and State Operations Manual Revisions Call: Dementia Care in Nursing Homes Thursday, September 21 - CMS SNF/Long-Term Care Open Door Forum Tuesday, September 26, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, ET - PQRS: Feedback Reports and Informal Review Process for PY 2016 Results Call: Physician Quality Reporting System |
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