Skilled Nursing Facility PEPPER Report Now Available
The fourth quarter fiscal year 2020 Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Reports (PEPPER) are now available for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to download through the PEPPER Resources Portal. These reports summarize provider-specific data for Medicare services that may be at risk for improper payments. This data can be used to support internal auditing and […]
LTC Surveys to Resume in Indiana on 4/12/2021
On April 12. 2021, the Indiana Department of Health, Division of LTC will resume federal and state health surveys for both nursing homes an residential care facilities. All surveyors have been updated with the Long-term Care Survey Process (LTCSP) Procedure Guide that was effective February 6, 2021. Surveyors will review facility information 12 months prior […]
CMS Announces Some Waiver Flexibilities As Ending Effective 5/10/2021
On April 9, 2021, CMS issued a new Memo to State Survey Agencies (QSO-21-17-NH) resulting in an end to a few waivers which were granted under the PHE. The below flexibilities will end effective 5/10/2021: The emergency blanket waivers related to notification of resident room or roommate changes, and transfer and discharge notification requirements The […]
CMS Releases FY 2022 SNF PPS Proposed Rule
On April 8, 2021, CMS released the new Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Proposed Rule which, once finalized, is effective October 1, 2021. This proposed rule updates Medicare payment policies for facilities under SNF PPS for fiscal year 2022. The proposed rule also includes information for the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) […]
Managing Morning Stiffness
Do you often wake up feeling stiff and sore in the morning? Do you have trouble getting out of bed or walking into the kitchen to get your breakfast? This is commonly known as morning stiffness that is caused by worn joints, muscle tightness, or arthritis. We feel this tightness in our bodies more frequently […]
Top 5 Therapy Clinical Outcome Focus Areas
HTS has identified the top 5 therapy clinical outcome focus areas for 2021 based on our experiences from 2020 which makes us better equipped to overcome COVID-19 related obstacles. Furthermore, after attending a 15-hour training and certification process, HTS management staff have all become “PDPM Masters.” These additional “feathers in our cap” allow us to […]
There is Power in Being Present
Blog by: Jessica Duffy, OTR, Regional Director, Healthcare Therapy Services, Inc. The word relationship is defined as: “The way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.” I think it is fair to say that COVID has completely changed how many of our interpersonal and working relationships operate […]
Available Now! Recovering After COVID
Post COVID-19 Rehabilitation Program The HTS Post COVID-19 Rehabilitation Program was created by HTS clinical staff to improve strength, endurance, balance, activity tolerance, functional mobility, swallowing, and cognitive-communication… all of which can be adversely affected during the COVID-19 recovery process. This program will help those individuals who are recovering from COVID-19 and are unable to […]
The Importance of Grip Strength
Why is hand and grip strength so important? Having a strong grip makes it easier to perform normal daily tasks like holding a coffee cup, carrying grocery bags, or brushing your teeth. Research has shown that a person’s grip strength can be an indicator for overall muscle strength, upper limb function, bone mineral density, increased […]
The COVID-19 Recovery Process & Your Body
The COVID-19 virus has impacted the health of millions of people. Research studies have shown that COVID-19 affects your body in several different capacities. As pulmonary issues are the most widely known complication from COVID-19, the virus can also affect your heart muscles, brain function, muscle strength, activity tolerance, and overall functional mobility. If you […]