CMS contractor TMH Health Quality Institute mailed PEPPER* reports to all Skilled Nursing Facilities

The PEPPER report compares your skilled nursing facilities to peers nationally on key measures identified by the OIG as potentially high risk areas for improper Medicare payments. PEPPER data will be shared with both the Medicare Administrator Contractor (MAC) and the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC.) Read more

Change for Billing and Medical Review Notices

CMS has issued a memo, MM8268, stating that MACs are to redact the HICN number on all MRNs. MRNs are reconsideration request forms. The HICN will only show partial with asterisks in front, similar to what some credit card companies do when sending you a statement. This is to begin January 1, 2014.

See link below:

http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/Downloads/R1296OTN.pdf

Benefits of Exercise for Older Adults

Being physically active on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Studies have shown that exercise provides many health benefits and older adults can gain a lot by staying physically active.

The Benefits of Exercise Include: Read more