Call for Stories – Observation Stays Issue

Monday, April 29, 2013

AHCA/NCAL has made the issue of Observation Stays one of its top advocacy and outreach priorities. Our efforts include supporting the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2013, which ensures observation stays count toward the Medicare-required three-day hospital stay, and connecting with key members of Congress to support this legislation. To boost our efforts, we need your help in collecting stories and/or names of those beneficiaries who have been impacted financially and emotionally by this observation stays issue. Read more

CMS clarifies physician delegation of tasks in skilled nursing facilities

Nursing home operators can now download a brief clarifying which tasks physicians may delegate to other practitioners caring for Medicare beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in a document released Wednesday. Read more

New calculation method would reduce readmissions penalties, CMS says

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed changing the way hospital readmission penalties are calculated as part of its 2014 Medicare rate update. Potential readmissions penalties for long-term care providers — such as those recently floated by the White House — would likely be based on the established CMS formula for hospitals. Read more

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) in Adults

Swallowing disorders, also called Dysphagia, occur when there is a problem with any part of the swallowing process.  People with Dysphagia have difficulty swallowing and may also experience pain while swallowing.  The process of eating is quite complex, with 50 pairs of muscles and nerves all working together to move food from our mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach.  Several diseases, conditions, or surgical interventions can result in swallowing problems, such as:  stroke, brain injury, alzheimers, cerebral palsy, parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cancer, injury or surgery affecting the head and neck, decayed or missing teeth, or poorly fitting dentures. Read more