On July 19, 2012, CMS announced a competitive funding opportunity for up to 30 States to design or implement multi-payer payment and service delivery models. The State Innovation Models initiative, authorized by the Affordable Care Act as part of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center), will provide financial, technical and other related […]
CMS has issued a proposed rule that would update Medicare policies and payment rates for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities paid under the ESRD Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year (CY) 2013. The proposed rule would also strengthen incentives for improved quality of care and better outcomes for patients through improvements to the ESRD […]
IPPS Final Rule FY 2012
In an effort to provide more effective, more affordable, higher quality health care, 45 commercial, federal and State insurers in seven markets pledged to work with the CMS to give more Americans access to quality health care at lower cost. Under the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative, CMS will pay primary care practices a care management […]
HHS announced a new $25 million funding opportunity to help states strengthen and expand their ability to help seniors and people with disabilities access home and community-based long-term services and supports. Over the next one to three years, funding will support Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) in nearly every state. Each year, more seniors, […]
CMS announced the Partnership to Improve Dementia Care, an initiative to ensure appropriate care and use of antipsychotic medications for nursing home patients. This partnership – among federal and state partners, nursing homes and other providers, advocacy groups and caregivers – has set a national goal of reducing use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing home […]
CMS ha issued a proposed rule which provides increased payments for certain Medicaid primary care services. Under this provision, certain physicians that provide eligible primary care services would be paid the Medicare rates in effect in calendar years (CY) 2013 and 2014 (or if greater, the Medicare rate in effect in 2009) instead of their […]
CMS will now cover transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for Medicare patients under certain conditions. Aortic valve replacements are used in patients whose aortic heart valves are damaged, causing the valve to narrow – a condition known as “aortic stenosis.” Once patients experience symptoms of aortic stenosis, treatment is critical to improve their chances of […]
New opportunities that will allow people to more easily receive care and services in their communities rather than being admitted to a hospital or nursing home were announced by HHS, who also finalized the Community First Choice rule, which is a new state plan option under Medicaid, and announced the participants in the Independence At […]