HTS Blog
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…
New calculation method would reduce readmissions penalties, CMS says
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed changing the way hospital readmission penalties are calculated as part of its 2014 Medicare rate update. Potential readmissions penalties for long-term care providers — such as…
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!
Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) in Adults
Swallowing disorders, also called Dysphagia, occur when there is a problem with any part of the swallowing process. People with Dysphagia have difficulty swallowing and may also experience pain while…
How can Therapy Services Impact your Five-Star Rating with CMS?
The Five Star rating system, upgraded in 2009, combined with increases in online rating systems that the consumer relies on to make decisions, has definitely made a splash in long term care. The Five-Star Rating system has somewhat changed the…
April is National Occupational Therapy Awareness Month!
Occupational therapy is the holistic intervention in many areas of occupation such as: activities of daily living (ADLs) including: bathing, dressing, grooming; instrumental activities of living, such as: home and financial management, rest…
