HTS Blog
FDA Releases Recommendations Regarding Adult Portable Bed Rails
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released Consumer Guidance regarding portable bed rails safety and tips for caretakers on December 19, 2013. The recommendations were released because of the continuing injuries and deaths related…
Healthful Tips for Holiday Bliss
The end of the year is approaching, and we all know what that means: holiday fun and food galore! From the preparation of the meal(s) until the leftovers have diminished, every dish appears irresistible. Our taste buds are more than pleased…
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…
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…
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…
Rehabilitation for Joint Replacement
Arthritis is the second most common chronic condition in the US and causes pain, joint stiffness and limited mobility. With Arthritis and other diseases, joints can be damaged limiting healthy blood flow to your bones. Replacing a damaged joint…
Knee Pain in Older Adults
The knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body. The number of moving parts in the knee that make it so useful also render it vulnerable to injury. Incidence of knee pain increases with age and is a very common occurrence in older…
Change to Payment Liability for Therapy Cap Denials – CMS UPDATE: 5-23-13
Section 603(c) of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) changed the payment liability for denials resulting from the outpatient therapy caps from beneficiaries to providers effective January 1, 2013. Medicare systems were not updated…
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Alert Update – WPS Medicare eNews 5-23-13
This is an update to the issue identified where some SNF claims (type of bill 21x) were being cancelled erroneously for not meeting the three day qualifying hospital stay requirement when in fact the requirement was met. After further analysis…
Therapy’s Role in Arthritis
While arthritis is a progressive condition, physical and occupational therapy can help to manage the symptoms of arthritis to allow people to live pain free and productive lives. Therapy performs an assessment by highly trained clinicians who…
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…
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…