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CMS Finalizes PPS Rate Rule for Year Starting October 1
On August 1, 2024 by Jeff Bostic
Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final Medicare payment rule for SNFs for the year that begins Oct. 1.
News from LeadingAge: Hospices and SNFs Must Act Now - Report Leaders as Managing Employees
On March 28, 2024 by LeadingAge
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) explained in a February 2024 MLN Matters article that hospices and skilled nursing facilities must act now to report their designated administrators and designated medical directors as “managing employees,” if they haven’t already done so.
News from LeadingAge: MA Plans Can’t Terminate Skilled Care Because Beneficiaries Don’t Improve
On February 15, 2024 by LeadingAge
LeadingAge, along with its coalition partners on Medicare Advantage (MA), asked CMS to clarify that MA plans must follow Medicare regulations related to the Jimmo Settlement Agreement (2013) when making coverage determinations.
National Partner LeadingAge to Host Nursing Home Network Call on Managed Care
On January 19, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge, our national partner, is hosting a special edition of the Nursing Home Network on Friday, Jan. 20, at noon CST. They are soliciting feedback on the recently-proposed rules governing Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans practices and policies.
CMS Announces 2022 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles
On November 18, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have released the 2022 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs.
Senate Votes to Extend Sequestration Suspension
On March 31, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Last Thursday, the US Senate voted to extend the suspension of the 2% sequestration cut for all Medicare services through the end of 2021. Congress initiated sequestration in 2011 to limit Medicare costs by reducing all payments by 2%. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sequestration was suspended for a year by Congress last April 1. The coming expiration of that suspension led to the Congressional activity to extend it further.
CMS Extends Deadline for Use of Renewed ABN for Medicare Part B Services
On August 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
As we previously reported, the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) Form CMS-R-131 and instructions have been approved for renewal.
Reminder: Advance Beneficiary Notice for Part B Services Has Been Renewed
On July 15, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, and instructions have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The use of the renewed form with the expiration date of 06/30/2023 will be mandatory on Aug. 31, 2020.
Medicare Proposed Rule Provides Inflation Adjustment of 2.3%
On April 14, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week issued a Proposed Rule that provides updates about the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) PPS rates that will take effect Oct. 1, 2020. CMS will follow up with a final rule on the Oct. 1 rates around Aug. 1.
CMS Releases Results of Second Year of Value-Based Purchasing
On January 7, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the results of the second year of implementation of Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) for skilled nursing settings. The results are a mixed review for Minnesota care centers.
Reminder: Change from KEPRO to Livanta Requires Action by Medicare Providers
On June 11, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Effective June 8, 2019, Livanta replaced KEPRO as the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care (BFCC) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Minnesota. This serves as an important reminder that skilled nursing facilities need to take action in relation to the transition to Livanta.
New Guidance from CMS on Serving Dual Eligibles
On December 31, 2018 by Guest Contributor
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new State Medicaid Director Letter titled 10 Opportunities to Better Serve Individuals Dually Eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
Skilled Nursing Facility Medicare Rate Calculation Tools Update
On October 9, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge has updated the Medicare Part A Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (PPS) calculator and the Medicare Part B therapy rate calculator to help members assess and estimate the impact of final payment changes for FY 2019, which began on Oct. 1, 2018.
Shift in Medicare Cost Plans: Consumer Resources
On September 18, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The massive shift that is about to take place in Medicare will affect hundreds of thousands of Minnesota enrollees, including some of the seniors you serve. Medicare Cost Plans will end in December 2018 and seniors affected by this change will need to enroll in new Medicare coverage for 2019. To help ensure a seamless transition, the State of Minnesota has developed helpful publications that you can share with your residents and families.
Now Available: Webinar Recording - New Medicare Care Center Payment System
On August 28, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge Minnesota and Health Dimensions Group last week hosted a webinar on the new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), which is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2019 and will make dramatic changes in how Medicare pays for services in care centers.
Now Available: Medicare Red Tape Relief Report
On August 22, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
After a year of collecting stakeholder input, the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means has issued the Medicare Red Tape Relief report.
LeadingAge Strikes Back on MedPAC Call to Lower SNF Pay Rates
On June 19, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge distributed a critical response to a recent recommendation by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to lower pay rates for skilled nursing facilities.
REMINDER: New Medicare Cards to Start Mailing in June
On May 29, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Medicare is removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards to prevent fraud, fight identity theft and keep taxpayer dollars safe. Medicare will mail new cards to Minnesotans on Medicare sometime after June 2018 and before April 30, 2019. The following information from the Minnesota Department of Human Services can help you respond to questions you may receive from residents.
New Medicare Cards Coming Soon
On March 6, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to remove Social Security Numbers (SSNs) from all Medicare cards by April 2019. This will have an impact on how providers submit claims.
Therapy Caps Not Addressed in Continuing Resolution
On January 23, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
Every year since 2006, Congress has ultimately renewed the exceptions process for annual caps on outpatient therapy under Medicare Part B. Since that has not yet happened for 2018, the caps are currently in effect. This year the caps are $2,010 for physical and speech combined and another $2,010 for occupational therapy.