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

• 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
• 07/21/08
  For those providers who had Mutual of Omaha as an FI & transitioned to WPS, this information was released today concerning the retirement of SNF Local Coverage Decisions for part A SNF services:
  
  VII. LCD RETIREMENT OF POLICIES
  
  Contractor Name:
  Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company (transitioned to Wisconsin Physicians Service)
  
  LCD Database Number(s) and LCD Title:
  L20620 Clinically Complex Resource Utilization Group (RUGIII): SNF
  L20622 Extensive Services Resource Utilization Group (RUGIII): SNF
  L20616 Impaired Cognition/Behavior/Reduced Physical Function (RUGIII): SNF
  L22562 Rehabilitation, Plus Extensive Services: SNF
  L20618 Rehabilitative Services Resource Utilization Group (RUGIII): SNF
  L20624 Special Care Resource Utilization Group (RUGIII): SNF
  
  Retirement Effective Date: July 31, 2008
  
  The policies affect the Legacy A providers.