Blog
Through our blog we hope to provide information and insight to assist leadership in the overall strategic direction and execution of operations, particularly as it applies to community healthcare providers.
Industry Trends Impacting Rural Nursing Part 1
Posted on May 28, 2020
According to the United States Census Bureau, about 60 million people, or one in five Americans, live in rural America. In general, rural areas are sparsely populated, have low housing density, and are far from urban centers.
Making the Connection: Annual Wellness Visits and Care Coordination
Posted on May 20, 2020
Despite Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) being covered by Medicare since 2011, they remain misunderstood – and not only by the patients who might benefit most from them, but also by primary care providers.
Emergency Departments and Mental Health: A Crisis for Rural Communities
Posted on May 14, 2020
There is a growing mental health crisis in the United States with more people, including those with severe mental health issues, needing professional care. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) stated that before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly one in five U.S. adults (47 million) reported having a mental illness in the past year, and over 11 million had a severe mental illness.
The Importance of Rural Care Providers in a Pandemic
Posted on May 04, 2020
In recent months, COVID-19 cases have mostly been confined to urban centers and corresponding suburbs. However, many epidemiologists predict the virus will invade less densely populated areas throughout the U.S., starting in the fall of this year.
Tips for Managing Your Next Regulatory Survey
Posted on April 23, 2020
On any given day, a regulator from CMS, OSHA, the Joint Commission, or the state can show up unannounced at a hospital or other healthcare facility to conduct a survey.
Mid-Month Financial Projections
Posted on April 22, 2020
Medical employees work hard, making it a grim reality when hospital management teams find out, two weeks after month-end, that financial results equate to a net operating loss. Producing projected income statements mid-month, and making the hospital’s senior management team aware of the expected financial results, is critical.
Managing Mental Health During a Medical Health Crisis
Posted on April 13, 2020
The COVID-19 public health emergency has highlighted the need for comprehensive mental health treatment, not just for patients and their loved ones but also for the healthcare providers themselves.
CMS Revises Appendix A and Appendix W in State Operations Manual: Here’s What You Need to Know
Posted on April 07, 2020
On September 30, 2019, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final rules that revised regulatory requirements for various providers, including hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAH).
Why Swing Bed and Skilled Nursing Facility Success Requires Clear Understanding of New PDPM Methodology
Posted on April 01, 2020
In October 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rolled out a new methodology for both hospital swing bed and skilled nursing facility providers.
A Leader’s Guide to Telehealth Expansion
Posted on March 26, 2020
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expanded telemedicine access to Medicare beneficiaries in an effort to keep at-risk populations safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.