CMS evaluating outcomes-based reimbursement strategies for COVID-19 tests
By
Amy Novotney
Sep 17, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is investigating a new outcomes-based reimbursement strategy for COVID-19 tests, according to an InsideHealthPolicy report. CMS Administrator Seema Verma said...
U.S. national healthcare spending increased 9.7 percent in 2020
Dec 17, 2021
The increase was due to 36% increase in federal expenditures, mainly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Home care providers virtually hit Capitol Hill to push telehealth, Medicaid increase, higher wages
By
Diane Eastabrook
Apr 23, 2021
Wednesday was a day for the record books at LeadingAge. In a virtual march on Washington, 440 association members, representing 5,000 nonprofit aging service providers, swarmed Capitol Hill to lobby for...
Survey finds telehealth increased five fold during pandemic
By
Diane Eastabrook
Sep 17, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be a boon for telemedicine, according to the American Medical Association’s Physician Practice Benchmark Survey.
Pendulum for primary care is swinging back to the home, VillageMD co-founder says
By
Diane Eastabrook
Jun 23, 2021
VillageMD co-founder Paul Martino predicts the U.S. healthcare system is returning to its roots whereby primary care physicians — not big hospital systems — drive patient care, along with better, more...
Number of MA beneficiaries receiving supplemental benefits for the chronically ill triples in one year,...
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 09, 2021
The number of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receiving Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) has skyrocketed — from 1 million in 2020 to 3 million in 2021— according to a...
Operators see ‘remarkable outcomes’ with COVID-19 infusion treatments
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 10, 2021
If there were a “game-changing medication” available to senior living providers to help fight off COVID-19 and potentially avoid a hospital trip for residents, would you use it?
Forbes: The future of nursing homes looks grim
By
Amy Novotney
May 05, 2020
Although some of short-term pandemic-related costs faced by skilled nursing facilities will likely fade over time, the industry’s current overall model may be financially unsustainable without broad...
MedPAC to Congress: Reduce payments to home health in 2022, expand telehealth beyond public health emergency
By
Diane Eastabrook
Mar 17, 2021
In a report to Congress this week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) offered several key recommendations, including reducing payments for home healthcare agencies in 2022 and extending...
More COVID-19 testing needed for assisted living and skilled nursing, groups say as CMS issues guidance...
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 19, 2020
Two associations representing long-term care providers on Monday called for more funding for COVID-19 testing for assisted living communities as well as skilled nursing facilities after the Centers for...