Tag: CMS

Medicare bundled payments improve outcomes for total joint patients

Editor's Note Implementing bundled payments for Medicare patients having total joint replacements resulted in improved quality of care and outcomes and reduced costs, finds this study presented March 2 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. As a pilot site for Medicare’s Bundled Payment for Care…

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By: Judy Mathias
March 3, 2016
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CMS extends ‘meaningful use’ deadline to July 1

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on February 26 once again extended the deadline for hardship exemptions for the “meaningful use” requirement of the electronic health records incentive payment program, Modern Healthcare reports. The new deadline for hospitals, critical access hospitals, physicians, and other eligible professionals is…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 29, 2016
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HHS: Hospitals responding to incentives to reduce readmissions

Editor's Note This study from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that readmission trends are consistent with the response by hospitals to incentives to reduce readmissions, including financial penalties, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. No evidence was found that changes in observation-unit stays accounted for…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 25, 2016
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CMS publishes Medicare fee-for-service provider and supplier lists

Editor's Note As part of efforts to improve care delivery, data sharing, and transparency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on February 22 published a list of Medicare fee-for-service providers and suppliers currently approved to bill Medicare.   The Moratoria Provider Services and Utilization Data Tool includes interactive…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 23, 2016
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CMS proposes Medicare Advantage changes for 2017

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on February 19 announced proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage program for CY 2017, which would increase payment rates by a net 1.35%, the February 19 Modern Healthcare reports. When factoring in the risk coding tendencies, Medicare Advantage insurers’ revenue…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 22, 2016
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Study: Hospitals receive readmission penalties for factors beyond their control

Editor's Note This study of patient readmissions finds that hospitals are receiving financial penalties because of patient social determinants of health (SDH) factors (ie, race, ethnicity, payer, and household income) and not because they provide poor quality of care. Analyzing hospital readmissions at 43 children’s hospitals, researchers found that adjusting…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 17, 2016
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CMS, health insurers standardize quality measures

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and major health insurance plans, in concert with physician groups and other stakeholders, on February 16 announced a new agreement to standardize measures of quality for physicians. The agreement outlines seven core measure sets to be used as a basis…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 16, 2016
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CMS extends ‘Meaningful Use’ deadline

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the deadline to attest to achieving “Meaningful Use” in 2015 to March 11, the February 12 MedCity News reports. The original deadline had been February 29. CMS announced the extension in an e-mail to providers and health IT…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 16, 2016
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CMS issues final rule on Medicare overpayments

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on February 11 released its final rule for reporting and repaying Medicare overpayments, as required by the Affordable Care Act. The rule requires providers and suppliers to report and return any overpayments they identify within 6 years of receipt, down…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 12, 2016
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CMS extends comment period for EHR certification, quality reporting

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on February 2 extended the deadline for sending feedback on electronic health record (EHR) certification and quality reporting to February 16, 2016. The request for information is part of an effort by CMS to streamline and reduce the burden of…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 4, 2016
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