This page contains geriatric relevant information concerning government and Medicare information for providers:

• CMS withdrew rule on Medicaid coverage of rehab services

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services withdrew an August 2007 proposed rule on Medicaid coverage for rehabilitative services.
  
  On August 13, 2007, a proposed rule in the Federal Register entitled "Medicaid  Program; Coverage for Rehabilitative Services" (72 FR 45201) was published.
  
  The rule proposed to amend the definition of Medicaid "rehabilitative services" to include a requirement for a person-centered written rehabilitation plan and maintenance of case records.
  
  CMS said in a Federal Register notice: "In light of the clear congressional concern indicated by the statutory moratorium and the resolution opposing issuance of a final rule based on the proposed rule, as well as the complexity of the underlying issues and of the public comments received, we have decided to withdraw the August 2007 proposed rule in order to assure agency flexibility in re-examining the issues and exploring options and alternatives with stakeholders."

   

• 8/18/08 - Benefit of HR 6331
  In reading a summary of the Medicare Improvements for Providers & Patient Act of 2008 (HR 6331) that we all fought so hard for, I ran across this section of the regulation that some might find beneficial to look into in their respective states:
  
  Sec. 119. Medicare enrollment assistance.
  
  Provides $25 million to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) and Area Agencies on Aging to help enroll low-income seniors in assistance programs and all seniors navigate the Medicare program. Funds allocated to Area Agencies on Aging and Aging Disability Resource Centers from the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 shall only be used for outreach to beneficiaries who may qualify for low income assistance under Part D and funds for Area Agencies on Aging also includes Native American Aging Programs.
• 07/21/08 - MDS 3.0 update
  A new MDS 3.0 implementation timeline has been updated on the CMS Web site. According to the new timeline, new information should be posted regarding the "July 25, 2008-Post RAND MDS 3.0 final report, timeline, and MDS 2.0/3.0 crosswalk on www.cms.hhs.gov by the end of the week. For more information, visit the MDS 3.0 page on the CMS website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NursingHomeQualityInits/25_NHQIMDS30.asp#TopOfPage