CAHPS Hospice Survey measure scores are calculated across eight rolling quarters and are published quarterly for all hospices with 30 or more completed surveys over the reporting period. The Hertel Report compiled the data and identified all Arizona hospice providers with star ratings from a low of 1 to 5, which denotes the highest...
The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) demanded a major overhaul of Medicare Advantage and is asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Congress to change the program's regulatory aspects.
ACHP calls the new plan MA for Tomorrow, and will break down policies into five areas: improving quality, streamlining...
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a final rule taking aim at prior authorization and its use in Medicare Advantage. The rule also makes changes to the star ratings program and marketing reforms.
The rule stipulates that once a health plan grants prior authorization for a service, the approval will...Arizona News
Each year, more than 32,000 older adults die from a fall and the number is climbing. Last week, a University of Arizona assistant professor’s solution impressed the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is now funding a $580,000 study that may finally make a dent in reducing the number of falls annually reported by those age 65...
The data usually is released in April but was delayed due to a calculation error. Updated July 27, 2022, the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating summarizes 47 quality measures across five categories to create a single, star rating for hospitals across the nation. Most Arizona hospitals, like the majority in the United States, earned...
This week in Medicare Advantage news, the home-based care industry is gearing up to assert itself amid concerns that home care services are being inadequately compensated. A new bill modeled on existing Texas law tries to limit the harms caused by prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans. Also, Centene is concerned about its star...CMS Rules
It's no secret that the Biden administration is planning to implement mandatory staffing levels in nursing facilities that are reimbursed through Medicare and Medicaid. In the most recent step to announcing this measure last Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published new guidance on staffing measures tied to...National News
The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) sent its annual March report to Congress on Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) payment systems, Medicare Advantage (MA) and the Medicare prescription drug program (Part D). The report contains analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic's influence on Medicare spending and the subsequent sustainability...Arizona News
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the release of updated hospital performance data on the Hospital Compare website and data.medicare.gov. The agency also announced on Feb. 28 that it would post potential changes to the star rating methodology for public comment and feedback in attempts to improve the way...Arizona News
The 85-bed facility ranks among the worst in the country, receiving a one-star rating from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Providing short-term rehabilitation and stabilization, the Prescott Community Living Center demonstrated a lack in quality of care with 45 percent of patients claiming to have moderate to severe...