Policy Snapshot
January 17, 2025
Showing 171 - 180 of 198 results
Policy Snapshot
January 27, 2025
CMS Delays Telehealth Guidance Amid Communication Freeze
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has not yet released temporary guidance to private Medicare administrators (MACs) for updating payment codes to bill for telehealth services extended through March under the 2024 year-end package. This delay has caused confusion among stakeholders, who...
Policy Snapshot
May 26, 2025
House Passes Budget Bill with Implications for Medicare and Medicaid
On May 22, 2025, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (H.R. 1), a comprehensive budget reconciliation measure that includes significant fiscal and policy changes. The bill, passed by a 215–214–1 vote, aims to extend tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs...
JAMDA
November 4, 2025
Investing in the Direct Care Workforce: Lessons From the CalGrows Training and Stipend Initiative
The California Growing a Resilient and Outstanding Workforce (CalGrows) program sought to address the challenges of low retention and low pay among direct care workers (DCWs) and improve the quality of care delivered to older adults and people with disabilities by distributing $150 million in grant funding...
JAMDA
November 25, 2025
Gaps and Opportunities to Improve Post-Acute Care Decision-Making for Older Veterans: Insights From Veterans Affairs National Leaders
To understand how national leaders within the US Veterans Administration (VA)—a large, integrated single-payer/provider system—conceptualize post-acute care decision-making.
Policy Snapshot
January 16, 2026
CMS to Host LEAD (Long-term Enhancing ACO Design) Model Overview Webinar
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webinar on Thursday, January 29, 2026, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, about the LEAD Model, including model goals, participation options, eligibility, and payment methodology. The LEAD Model team will also provide more information on the application proc...
PALTmed In The News
April 26, 2024
Nursing homes may use international nurses to meet staff minimums
Nursing homes are considering hiring more internationally educated nurses to help meet new staffing minimums, though a long-term care staffing institute says incentives like higher pay are also needed. The nursing home staffing mandate, finalized by the Biden administration earlier this week, will require ...
Policy Snapshot
May 16, 2024
Hospice: New Requirement for Physicians Who Certify Patient Eligibility Effective June 3
For Medicare to pay for hospice services, the following physicians must enroll in Medicare or opt out by June 3, 2024: (1) The hospice medical director or the physician member of the hospice interdisciplinary group who certifies the patient’s terminal condition; (2) Patient-designated attending physician (...
Policy Snapshot
October 24, 2025
CMS Claims Hold Update
CMS has instructed all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to lift the claims hold and process claims with service dates of October 1, 2025, and later for certain services impacted by select expired Medicare legislative payment provisions passed under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Exte...
Policy Snapshot
November 3, 2025
PE Adjustments and Telehealth Flexibilities Highlight CMS' 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule for Nursing Homes
On Friday, October 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule, outlining significant shifts in how Medicare pays for clinician services. There is both positive and significantly negative news in this final rule.
