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Thought Leadership

When it comes to thought leadership and staying informed, we’ve got you covered. See below for recent articles, webinars, and downloadable resources available.

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Blue & Co.'s December 2020 Webinars | Free webinars | Financial services and consulting | PPP | Paycheck Protection Program Webinar | Manufacturing Webinars | Cybersecurity Webinars

Blue & Co. December 2020 Webinars

It’s webinar season at Blue & Co., LLC.! Check out all of our upcoming events for the week of December, 14. Monday, December 14 Panel Discussion Regarding Paycheck Protection Program […]

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Outpatient Therapy | WellSky Webinar: Hospital Outpatient Therapy: A Patient-Centric Way to Grow Revenue

On Demand Webinar: Hospital Outpatient Therapy: A Patient-Centric Way to Grow Revenue

Outpatient physical therapy programs are often overlooked in the hospital. However, there are several opportunities to increase access to care for patients and increase revenue for the hospital in outpatient […]

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PAC News

Skilled Nursing Facilities PPS FY 2021 Final Rule Summary

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule [CMS-1737-F] for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 that updates the Medicare payment rates and the value-based purchasing program for skilled […]

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PAC Billing Codes

Denied Claims due to Billing Codes

A new issue is affecting some inpatient hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) claims when an interrupted stay is billed at the end of the month. The system incorrectly assigns […]

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CMS ends staffing waiver

CMS has ended the waiver of Staffing Data

Effective Immediately: the CMS has made updates to the Nursing Home Compare Website and Five Star Quality Rating System. Under the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket waiver, CMS waived the requirements […]

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SNF Proposed Payment and Policy Changes for FY 2021

SNF Proposed Payment and Policy Changes for FY 2021

On April 10, CMS issued a proposed rule [CMS-1737-P] for FY 2021 that updates the Medicare payment rates and the quality programs for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). This proposed rule […]

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HHS Announces $4.9 Billion Distribution to Nursing Facilities Impacted by COVID-19

HHS Announces $4.9 Billion Distribution to Nursing Facilities Impacted by COVID-19

On May 22, CMS announced it has begun distributing billions in relief funds to skilled nursing facilities to combat COVID-19.  This funding is to help nursing homes to address critical […]

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CMS Guideline for Safely Reopening Nursing Homes

CMS Guideline for Safely Reopening Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, on May 18, 2020, issued guidance for state and local officials to ensure the safe reopening of nursing homes nationwide. The purpose of […]

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3.15.20 MDS 3.0 Technical Updates

CMS Releases Updates to MDS 3.0 Technical Information

In response to State Medicaid Agency and stakeholder requests, CMS has updated the MDS 3.0 item sets (version 1.17.2) and related technical data specifications.  These changes will support the calculation […]

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CMS Announces Relief in Response to COVID-19

CMS Announces Relief from the Quality Reporting Program in Response to COVID-19

On March 22, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is granting exceptions from reporting requirements and extensions for clinicians and providers participating in Medicare quality […]

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CMS_ COVID-19 Emergency Declaration for SNFs

CMS: COVID-19 Emergency Declaration for SNFs

The Federal Department of Health and Human Services issued an updated memo on COVID-19 protocols from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) official, David Wright. The memo states: Facilities […]

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Hospitals to Provide Skilled Nursing Quality Data at Discharge per New Rule

Hospitals to Provide Skilled Nursing Quality Data at Discharge per New Rule

On September 29, 2019, CMS finalized a new rule focusing on the seamless exchange of patient information between health care settings by revising the discharge planning requirements that Hospitals and Home Health […]

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The Omnibus Burden Reduction (Conditions of Participation) Final Rule (CMS-3346-F)

The Omnibus Burden Reduction (Conditions of Participation) Final Rule (CMS-3346-F)

The Omnibus Burden Reduction (Conditions of Participation) Final Rule (CMS-3346-F) was published on September 26, 2019.  This rule finalizes the following provisions that were in the proposed rule changes.  The […]

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Blue & Co. PDPM HIPPS Rate Calculator

This calculator will compute the wage index adjusted individual daily rate and the cumulative total based upon paid SNF PDPM I/P Part A Medicare paid days for fiscal year 2020. […]

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CMS Update August 2019

CMS Updates Posted on August 30, 2019

In July 2018, CMS finalized a new case-mix classification model, the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), that, effective beginning October 1, 2019, will be used under the Skilled Nursing Facility […]

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Webinars

Therapy Compliance in SNFs: What Administrators Need to Know | Nurse in pink scrubs working with elderly

Therapy Compliance in SNFs: What Administrators Need to Know (Part One)

In Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), therapy services—physical, occupational, and speech therapy—play a vital role in resident recovery, rehabilitation, and quality of life. However, beyond achieving clinical outcomes, therapy departments must […]

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Nurse holding a patient's hand | Post-Acute Care Consulting | Therapy Compliance Monitoring in Alignment with the OIG Program Guide

Therapy Compliance Monitoring Under the OIG Program Guide

The therapy team plays a pivotal role in ensuring quality compliance and promoting person-centered care within nursing facilities. In November 2024, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its Nursing […]

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Swing Bed Utilization: Optimizing for Hospitals

A well-managed swing bed program is essential to a critical access hospital. This program can improve patient outcomes and provide additional reimbursement opportunities creating a “win-win” for the patient and […]

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5 Quality Components for mLTSS

Managed Long Term Services and Supports (mLTSS) refers to the delivery of long-term services and supports through Medicaid managed care programs. mLTSS’s strategy is to expand home and community-based services, […]

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FY 2023 PDPM SNF PPS Calculator is Now Available

It has been a month since regulation for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) rates went […]

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Five-Star Quality Rating System: Changes Your Nursing Facility Needs to Know

On July 7, 2022 the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the updated Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating Technical Users’ Guide with the methodology for the changes to […]

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