Physicians' Resources

Your home for news, products, stories, and more specific to physicians practicing in post-acute and long-term care settings. 

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CMS Releases Second Year of Skilled Nursing Facility Utilization and Payment Data

Policy Snapshot
Skilled Nursing Care, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)
January 20, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the second annual release of the Skilled Nursing Facility Public Use File (Skilled Nursing Facility PUF) with data for 2014. The Skilled Nursing Facility PUF presents summarized...

CMS Reports Sharp Reduction in Avoidable Hospitalizations Among Long-Term Care Facility Residents

Policy Snapshot
Long-Term Care, Skilled Nursing Care, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Medicare, Medicaid, Transitions of Care
January 20, 2017
A data brief released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week, noted dramatic reductions in avoidable hospitalizations over the last several years. CMS along with the help from the Affordable Care Act, and working with...

Medicare Quality Programs: Transitioning from PQRS to MIPS Call — January 24

Policy Snapshot
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Payment, Merit-Based Incentive Program Payment System (MIPS)
January 13, 2017
CMS is hosting the call on Tuesday, January 24 from 2 to 3:30 pm ET T o register or for more information, visit MLN Connects Event Registration . During this call, find out how to complete the final reporting period for the legacy Medicare quality...

Post-Acute Care TOH Quality Measures Pilot Study by CMS: Respond by January 17

Policy Snapshot
Post-Acute Care, Skilled Nursing Care, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)
January 13, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contracted with RTI International and Abt Associates to develop and implement two Transfer of Health Information and Care Preferences (TOH) quality measures for skilled nursing facility,...

CMS Release Chronic Care Management Services Changes for 2017

Policy Snapshot
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Payment, Coding, Reimbursement, & Documentation, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes
January 13, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved a number of changes to the payment rules for Chronic Care Management (CCM) services under Medicare Part B for CY 2017 to reduce administrative burden and improve payment...

CMS Publishes FAQs Concerning Medicaid Beneficiaries in HCBS who Exhibit Unsafe Wandering Behavior

Policy Snapshot
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Medicaid, Dementia, Patient Centered
January 6, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released guidance on how regulatory requirements can be met by settings providing HCBS to individuals with such behavior, and concludes with describing some options for HCBS stakeholder...

Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents – Payment Reform MLN Matters® Article — New

Policy Snapshot
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Change of Condition, Transitions of Care
January 6, 2017
An MLN Matters Special Edition Article on The Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents – Payment Reform is available. Learn about a new payment model for nursing facilities and practitioners to incent early...

Apply for Clinical Practice Improvement Activities and Measurement Study by January 31

Policy Snapshot
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Payment, Medicare Access and CHIP Re-authorization Act (MACRA), Merit-Based Incentive Program Payment System (MIPS)
January 6, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is conducting a Clinical Practice Improvement Activities Study, as outlined in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) final rule . Clinicians and groups who are...

HHS Finalizes New Medicare Alternative Payment Models

Policy Snapshot
Cardiovascular Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Payment, Accountable Care Organization (ACO), Alternative Payment Models (APM), Merit-Based Incentive Program Payment System (MIPS)
January 6, 2017
On December 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized new Medicare alternative payment models that continue the Administration’s progress in reforming how the health care system pays for care. This announcement finalizes...

CMS Announces Additional Opportunities for Clinicians under the Quality Payment Program

Policy Snapshot
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Payment, Accountable Care Organization (ACO), Alternative Payment Models (APM), Medicare Access and CHIP Re-authorization Act (MACRA), Merit-Based Incentive Program Payment System (MIPS), Quality Payment Program (QPP)
January 6, 2017
On December 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced more new opportunities for clinicians to join Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) to improve care and earn additional incentive payments under the Quality...