CHANGES IN HEALTHCARE

2012

In 2012, The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, which penalized IPPS hospitals with excess readmissions: 1% 2012, 2% 2013

2015

The fiscal year 2015 the penalty was increased to 3% with two additional 30-day readmission rates to track (i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and total hip arthroplasty/total knee arthroplasty.

2016

CMS Final Rule - §483.65 Specialized Rehabilitative Services (Effective November 28, 2016) Under the revised regulations "respiratory therapy" has been added to the list of specialized rehabilitative services that must be provided by the facility. Therefore, under 483.75(g) and (h) the facility must now either employ on a full-time, part-time or consultant basis, professionals qualified by license, certificate, or registration who can provide respiratory therapy services or the facility must furnish qualified outside sources who can provide this therapy.