Rural Healthcare Facing Existential Threats
Recent issues in Oklahoma, Nebraska portend a growing crisis. The news coming out of Oklahoma was grim: Pauls Valley Regional Medical Center couldn’t keep its
Recent issues in Oklahoma, Nebraska portend a growing crisis. The news coming out of Oklahoma was grim: Pauls Valley Regional Medical Center couldn’t keep its
Length of stay does not correlate directly with costs. I am sure many of you have heard me rant about observation rates before. I’m sure
Accounting for socioeconomic factors is critical to the sustainability of healthcare. Editor’s Note: This article was written as Hurricane Florence was heading directly for the
Condition 44 is one of three perplexing issues reviewed by the author. Last week was a boring regulatory week, other than the continuing talk about
Multiple visits to observation patients may soon be payable but… When one looks at the current payment structure for observation medicine from the physician viewpoint,
Many hospitals have found that putting SIBRs into place is incredibly challenging. The Case Management Society of America’s (CMSA’s) 28th Annual Conference and Expo recently
Better ED quality measures, and, ultimately, greater patient satisfaction are among benefits cited. The placement of registered nurse (RN) case managers in the emergency department,
If a patient does not have liability for a particular expense, the insurer is similarly absolved of responsibility. The June 14 issue of RACmonitor focused
Observation is a service, not a status. As we have all seen in recent events on television, choice of words matters. That’s particularly true in
Anthem’s ED policy prompted a Missouri law that defines a medical emergency. The Upshot column in the New York Times on May 19 focused on
Joint Commission decision on ligature risks raises questions. Hospital surveyors, in particular Joint Commission surveyors, are placing a major emphasis on ligature risks—the risk that
Expect denials as the healthcare giant is cracking down on Levels 4 and Level 5 UnitedHealthcare (UHC) will reportedly review and possibly adjust or deny

Medicare regulations are complex and even seasoned professionals struggle to apply them consistently. Due to overwhelming demand, Dr. Hirsch returns for Part 2 of Ask Dr. Hirsch: Clarifying Medicare’s Most Misunderstood Rules to answer even more of Medicare’s most misunderstood questions, covering inpatient status, observation, SNF access, Medicare Advantage denials, and more. Join Dr. Hirsch as he provides clear, referenced answers to real-world questions submitted by your peers, helping you navigate Medicare compliance with confidence and clarity.

Traditional utilization management models can no longer keep pace with regulatory shifts, payer scrutiny, and operational pressures. In this webcast, Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM, ACPA-C, introduces an Adaptive Model strategy that modernizes UM through role specialization, technology-driven workflows, and proactive, team-based processes. Attendees will learn how to restructure programs to improve efficiency, strengthen clinical collaboration, and enhance financial performance in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.

In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.

Prepare for FY 2027 IPPS changes with a comprehensive 3-part masterclass covering ICD-10-CM/PCS updates, MS-DRG shifts, NTAPs, compliance risks, and reimbursement strategies.

Stay ahead of FY 2027 reimbursement changes with expert analysis of MS-DRG shifts, NTAP updates, Medicare Code Edits, and emerging technologies impacting inpatient payment accuracy.

Stay ahead of FY 2027 ICD-10-PCS changes with expert analysis of new procedure codes, revised guidelines, and high-impact updates affecting reimbursement, compliance, and inpatient coding accuracy.

Master the FY 2027 ICD-10-CM changes, including new diagnosis codes, CC/MCC updates, and coding guideline revisions, with practical insights from nationally recognized coding and CDI experts.
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