Federal regulations at 42 C.F.R. §483.15(c), set out specific and detailed protections for nursing home residents who are faced with involuntary transfer or discharge from their facilities. One provision, 42 C.F.R. §483.15(c)(7), requires facilities … [Read more...] about How to Challenge Unsafe Nursing Home Discharges
Discharge Planning
Medicare Coverage for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) When a Beneficiary is Discharged from a Facility
Transitioning from a facility to home can be challenging for Medicare beneficiaries and their families because there are many details, instructions, and changes to navigate. Pre-planning for reasonable and necessary DMEPOS for a beneficiary to use … [Read more...] about Medicare Coverage for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) When a Beneficiary is Discharged from a Facility
Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage, Discharges, and Transfers During the COVID Crisis
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs/nursing homes) often tell residents and families that they are discharging the resident because Medicare will no longer pay for the resident’s stay. In a previous Alert (Jan. 2016), the Center for Medicare Advocacy … [Read more...] about Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage, Discharges, and Transfers During the COVID Crisis
Nursing Home Study Finds Discharges Linked to Medicare Copayments
Background. Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to a maximum of 100 days of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care in a benefit period when they meet specific coverage criteria. However, Medicare Part A only covers the full cost … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Study Finds Discharges Linked to Medicare Copayments
Reducing Hospital Readmissions by Addressing the Causes
Reports that 20% or more of unplanned hospital readmissions are avoidable has led to considerable interest in policymakers in reducing readmissions.[1] Actively reducing hospital readmissions is seen as a route to lower Medicare spending and … [Read more...] about Reducing Hospital Readmissions by Addressing the Causes
“Discharge” from a Skilled Nursing Facility: What Does it Mean and What Rights Does a Resident Have?
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often tell Medicare beneficiaries and their families that they intend to “discharge” a Medicare beneficiary because Medicare will not pay for the beneficiary’s stay under either Part A (traditional Medicare) or Part … [Read more...] about “Discharge” from a Skilled Nursing Facility: What Does it Mean and What Rights Does a Resident Have?
Discharge Planning: Tips for Evaluating a Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility Placement Choices
Medicare beneficiaries often need care in a Medicare- participating skilled nursing facility (SNF) after an inpatient hospitalization. For these patients, hospitals are responsible for identifying skilled nursing facilities within the … [Read more...] about Discharge Planning: Tips for Evaluating a Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility Placement Choices
Proposed Revisions to Requirements for Discharge Planning for Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Home Health Agencies (HHAs)
On November 3, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), published in the Federal Register (80 Fed. Reg. 68126), proposed revisions to requirements for discharge planning for hospitals, CAHs, and HHAs. The proposed rule is also … [Read more...] about Proposed Revisions to Requirements for Discharge Planning for Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Home Health Agencies (HHAs)
CMS Updates Guidance for Hospital Discharge Planning
On May 17, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update of Appendix A of the State Operations Manual (SOM) revising its interpretive guidelines for hospital Discharge Planning.[1] Medicare discharge planning … [Read more...] about CMS Updates Guidance for Hospital Discharge Planning
Medicare Discharge Planning: Think Through Your Needs
IntroductionDischarge planning[1] is an important tool for reviewing and making arrangements for on-going healthcare needs across healthcare settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health, or hospice. When focusing on … [Read more...] about Medicare Discharge Planning: Think Through Your Needs