fbpx

Thought Leadership

When it comes to thought leadership and staying informed, we’ve got you covered. See below for recent articles, webinars, and downloadable resources available.

Want updates like these sent directly to your inbox?

Subscribe to our Newsletters

PAC News

Skilled Nursing Facilities PPS FY 2021 Final Rule Summary

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule [CMS-1737-F] for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 that updates the Medicare payment rates and the value-based purchasing program for skilled […]

Learn More
PAC Billing Codes

Denied Claims due to Billing Codes

A new issue is affecting some inpatient hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) claims when an interrupted stay is billed at the end of the month. The system incorrectly assigns […]

Learn More
CMS ends staffing waiver

CMS has ended the waiver of Staffing Data

Effective Immediately: the CMS has made updates to the Nursing Home Compare Website and Five Star Quality Rating System. Under the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket waiver, CMS waived the requirements […]

Learn More
SNF Proposed Payment and Policy Changes for FY 2021

SNF Proposed Payment and Policy Changes for FY 2021

On April 10, CMS issued a proposed rule [CMS-1737-P] for FY 2021 that updates the Medicare payment rates and the quality programs for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). This proposed rule […]

Learn More
HHS Announces $4.9 Billion Distribution to Nursing Facilities Impacted by COVID-19

HHS Announces $4.9 Billion Distribution to Nursing Facilities Impacted by COVID-19

On May 22, CMS announced it has begun distributing billions in relief funds to skilled nursing facilities to combat COVID-19.  This funding is to help nursing homes to address critical […]

Learn More
CMS Guideline for Safely Reopening Nursing Homes

CMS Guideline for Safely Reopening Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, on May 18, 2020, issued guidance for state and local officials to ensure the safe reopening of nursing homes nationwide. The purpose of […]

Learn More
3.15.20 MDS 3.0 Technical Updates

CMS Releases Updates to MDS 3.0 Technical Information

In response to State Medicaid Agency and stakeholder requests, CMS has updated the MDS 3.0 item sets (version 1.17.2) and related technical data specifications.  These changes will support the calculation […]

Learn More
CMS Announces Relief in Response to COVID-19

CMS Announces Relief from the Quality Reporting Program in Response to COVID-19

On March 22, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is granting exceptions from reporting requirements and extensions for clinicians and providers participating in Medicare quality […]

Learn More
CMS_ COVID-19 Emergency Declaration for SNFs

CMS: COVID-19 Emergency Declaration for SNFs

The Federal Department of Health and Human Services issued an updated memo on COVID-19 protocols from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) official, David Wright. The memo states: Facilities […]

Learn More
Hospitals to Provide Skilled Nursing Quality Data at Discharge per New Rule

Hospitals to Provide Skilled Nursing Quality Data at Discharge per New Rule

On September 29, 2019, CMS finalized a new rule focusing on the seamless exchange of patient information between health care settings by revising the discharge planning requirements that Hospitals and Home Health […]

Learn More
The Omnibus Burden Reduction (Conditions of Participation) Final Rule (CMS-3346-F)

The Omnibus Burden Reduction (Conditions of Participation) Final Rule (CMS-3346-F)

The Omnibus Burden Reduction (Conditions of Participation) Final Rule (CMS-3346-F) was published on September 26, 2019.  This rule finalizes the following provisions that were in the proposed rule changes.  The […]

Learn More

Blue & Co. PDPM HIPPS Rate Calculator

This calculator will compute the wage index adjusted individual daily rate and the cumulative total based upon paid SNF PDPM I/P Part A Medicare paid days for fiscal year 2020. […]

Learn More
CMS Update August 2019

CMS Updates Posted on August 30, 2019

In July 2018, CMS finalized a new case-mix classification model, the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), that, effective beginning October 1, 2019, will be used under the Skilled Nursing Facility […]

Learn More
CMS Final Rule under PPS for SNFs for FY 2020

CMS Final Rule under PPS for SNFs for FY 2020

CMS issued a proposed rule on July 30, 2019, with updates to the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), Quality Reporting Program (QRP), and the Value Based Purchasing Program  (VBP) for fiscal […]

Learn More
Power of Data now unleashed by CMS pilot program_ Data at the Point of Care (DPC)

Power of Data now unleashed by CMS pilot program: Data at the Point of Care (DPC)

On July 30, 2019, CMS announced the Data at the Point of Care (DPC) pilot program. DPC will give clinicians that are participating in the pilot program access to claims […]

Learn More

Webinars

Swing Bed Utilization: Optimizing for Hospitals

A well-managed swing bed program is essential to a critical access hospital. This program can improve patient outcomes and provide additional reimbursement opportunities creating a “win-win” for the patient and […]

Learn More

5 Quality Components for mLTSS

Managed Long Term Services and Supports (mLTSS) refers to the delivery of long-term services and supports through Medicaid managed care programs. mLTSS’s strategy is to expand home and community-based services, […]

Learn More

FY 2023 PDPM SNF PPS Calculator is Now Available

It has been a month since regulation for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) rates went […]

Learn More

Five-Star Quality Rating System: Changes Your Nursing Facility Needs to Know

On July 7, 2022 the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the updated Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating Technical Users’ Guide with the methodology for the changes to […]

Learn More
Proposed Rule FY 2023 for Skilled Nursing Facilities

Proposed Rule FY 2023 for Skilled Nursing Facilities

It is that time of year again! The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the proposed rule that would update Medicare payment policies and rates for the […]

Learn More
Technical Users’ Guide for the Care Compare Nursing Home

Technical Users’ Guide for the Care Compare Nursing Home Updates

On January 14, 2022, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated the Technical Users’ Guide for the Care Compare Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System. While this information will be […]

Learn More