Two websites that help Americans make informed choices about hospitals and nursing homes have been redesigned and will make more information available to the public, CMS announced on July 19, 2012. The two sites – Hospital Compare and … [Read more...] about Compare Hospitals or Nursing Homes Using Medicare’s Online Tools
Acute Hospital Care
More Concerns About Observation Status: Hospitals Join the Chorus
Hospital case managers and the hospital industry have joined the chorus of those opposed to observation status – a designation that renders a beneficiary ineligible for Medicare-covered skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. This Alert … [Read more...] about More Concerns About Observation Status: Hospitals Join the Chorus
Brown University Confirms Observation Continues to Replace Hospital Admission Status
Since 2008, the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) has been reporting that an increasing number of Medicare beneficiaries are being placed in acute care hospital beds for multiple days – receiving medical and nursing care, diagnostic tests, … [Read more...] about Brown University Confirms Observation Continues to Replace Hospital Admission Status
Medicare Hospital Readmissions
Reducing hospital readmissions is generating lots of confusion. The rules are complicated. In addition, some hospitals, facilities, and health care networks have adopted protocols, and have in place some level of procedures … [Read more...] about Medicare Hospital Readmissions
Reducing Rehospitalizations… The Right Way
For several years, reducing rehospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries has been a key public policy goal, the intent of which is to improve quality of care for beneficiaries and reduce costs for the Medicare program.[1] Studies have shown … [Read more...] about Reducing Rehospitalizations… The Right Way
Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital “Observation Status”
The Center for Medicare Advocacy has heard increasingly about beneficiaries throughout the country whose entire stays in a hospital, including stays as long as 14 days, are classified by the hospital as outpatient observation. In some … [Read more...] about Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital “Observation Status”
Congressman Joe Courtney and Center for Medicare Advocacy Hold Congressional Briefing on Observation Status
Coalition Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Safeguarding Medicare Beneficiaries' Skilled Nursing Care For Immediate Release October 21, 2012 Terry Berthelot 860-456-7790 Toby … [Read more...] about Congressman Joe Courtney and Center for Medicare Advocacy Hold Congressional Briefing on Observation Status
Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting
Hospitalists are defined as physicians who are based full-time in acute care hospitals and who provide care to hospitalized patients. The past decade has witnessed a rapid growth in hospitals' use of hospitalists, who have been shown to … [Read more...] about Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting
CMA And Others Support Legislation to End “Observation Status”
Max Richtman, Chair May 20, 2011 The Honorable John Kerry The Honorable Olympia Snowe United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Joe Courtney The Honorable Tom Latham United States House of Representatives Washington, DC … [Read more...] about CMA And Others Support Legislation to End “Observation Status”
Extended Observation Stays in Acute Care Hospitals: Criticism, Legislation and Discussion
"Observation" is the term used to describe the outpatient status of a patient who is in a hospital, but not as an inpatient. Although the Medicare Manuals limit observation to 24-48 hours, many beneficiaries nationwide are experiencing extended stays … [Read more...] about Extended Observation Stays in Acute Care Hospitals: Criticism, Legislation and Discussion