In a boost for cardiovascular care in the U.S., new research shows those suffering heart attacks and strokes were less likely to be uninsured for their hospital stays after states…
On August 9, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would redesign the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). The proposed changes would accelerate…
The Latin root for "hospital" is from Old French “hoste," which means "host" or “guest." Synonyms for host are multitude, abundance and wealth. That’s not what we think of when…
Government and private insurers’ audits have revealed unfortunate cases of fraudulent or abusive medical billing practices. You deserve to be paid for the medical care you provide, but it is…
Aiming to cut down on regulatory burdens and give more power to states, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is making notable changes to the Medicaid program, the biggest…
CMS issued final rules July 31 that increase payments to inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled-nursing facilities by $925 million. Here are six things to know about the rules: Inpatient rehabilitation…
The Open Payments database needs to improve the accuracy, precision and consistency of some of its data to ensure doctor financial transparency and help consumers better use the information. That’s…
CMS recently finalized a rule that will shift the Medicare payment system for skilled nursing facilities (SNF) away from fee-for-service and toward value starting in 2019. The federal agency will…
CMS and the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics released changes to the ICD-10-CM guidelines for fiscal year 2019. Here's what you should know: 1. The new guidelines apply to…
It's been an open secret that the federal government has, for years, wanted to change long-term care's payment system from one rewarding volume of services to one that pays for…
Change is never-ending for ambulatory surgery centers (ASC's). ASCs need to always stay on top of the seemingly nonstop influx of contractual and coding changes, which can have a direct…
Healthcare organizations concerned about how to record data on patients’ social determinants of health are allowed to use non-physician documentation to support ICD-10 coding for common socioeconomic issues, says the…
On May 7, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on the story of patient Steve Zangla, who went to Riddle Hospital in Media for sharp and distressing abdominal pain. As is the…
Medicare is spending more money on drugs than ever before, and it's not because patients are taking more medications. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its drug…
The number of patients meeting criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis may drop following the proposed revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), researchers suggested. Geared towards creating…
Since October, five ASCs have reported patient data stolen, compromised or breached through cyber attacks, stolen laptops and staff misdeeds. Columbus (Neb.) Surgery Center and Eye Physicians fell victim to…