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Friday, February 14, 2020

Best of Week

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Post-Acute Care Forum is Going to Chicago!

This event is specifically designed for decision-makers at skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies (Manager, Director, Owners/Operators, or VP), who have projects in the pipeline and are actively sourcing solutions. Apply Here

Home Health

CMS makes changes to Medicare Benefit Policy Manual for home health

CMS has issued an update to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual for home health. The update reflects policy changes finalized in the 2019 and 2020 PPS final rules, according to Change Request 11577. These changes include implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), the shift to a 30-day payment period, changes to requests for anticipated payment …

Skilled Nursing Facility

Flu prevention in SNFs

Flu season is once again upon us, and SNF staff need to take precautionary measures to protect the frail residents in their care. About 19 million Americans have contracted the flu so far this season, leading to an approximate 12,000 to 30,000 deaths, according to a recent CDC report. The CDC recommends that SNFs take …

Featured Product

Monthly In-Service: February issue of CNA Training Advisor

Understand how to create an environment of cultural diversity. Get the latest issue to receive a new lesson plan, including course materials, a 4-page in-service, and a quiz targeted to address the unique needs, interests, and concerns of CNAs.

Skilled Nursing Facility

SNF employment rebounds after months of decline

An increase in SNF employment has occurred after several months of decline following the implementation of PDPM. SNFs added a reported 2,400 jobs in January, according to newly released data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest jobs report. While it’s too early to determine if the increase in jobs will be a trend …

Home Health

Big changes coming to Home Health Compare 'later this year'

CMS is working to incorporate new improvements to Home Health Compare and other Compare tools to help patients find health care providers in various settings around the care continuum. Currently, when users visit Medicare.gov, they have eight different Compare tools to go to — Hospital, Nursing Home, Home Health, Dialysis Facility, Long-term Care Hospital, Inpatient …

PPS Alert for Long-Term Care

Keys to successful admissions: Putting your best foot forward

The SNF value-based purchasing (VBP) program began adjusting Medicare payments a little over a year ago, in October 2018. While the program is designed to provide incentives to SNFs, there are many factors that can cause facilities to flounder.