Certificate of Need (CON) is a public policy tool which seeks to slow healthcare cost growth, avoid duplication of programs and services and ensure that new development meets the needs of the community. Nationally, only 12 states have no CON requirements. In Florida, the CON program was enacted in 1973 and applied to the building of new health centers or expansion of certain, complex medical services – including hospitals, nursing facilities, hospices and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled. Read Full Post

Healthcare has undergone rapid consumerization over the past decade. This transformation has impacted what patients expect from their post-acute care provider. Selecting the appropriate level of care to meet their unique needs is critical for their long term recovery. But how does the patient and their family choose the right setting for this level of care? Read Full Post

On April 17, CMS issued a proposed rule for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS) for fiscal year 2020. The proposed rule includes notable changes. Read Full Post

Many healthcare providers are seeking support from dedicated rehabilitation partners. Receiving support from a third-party team of rehab experts enables healthcare providers to reach the highest levels of performance in this niche and highly-regulated space. The right partner can help you boost program performance and scale. When evaluating the quality of a potential partner, it is critical to ask 9 key questions. Read Full Post

In early March, KRS leadership – including its medical advisory board – went to Washington to advocate for inpatient rehabilitation. Read Full Post

Rock Health’s fourth national consumer survey on digital health adoption and sentiments in 2018 included more than 4,000 U.S. adults and found that 89% of respondents used at least one digital health tool, up from 80% in 2015. Moreover, respondents reported using wearable technology – for example, the Apple Watch – to perform tasks that are health condition-related at a faster rate than fitness-related. Read Full Post

Patient engagement is especially critical in rehabilitation, but can technology drive greater engagement and thus improve functional measures?  Read Full Post

Kindred Healthcare engages in joint venture (JV) arrangements with some of the nation’s leading health systems, such as UC Davis, UW Health, University Hospitals in Cleveland, Dignity Health, and Mercy Health Network, in order to drive efficiencies and clinical integration in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Read Full Post

2018 was full of often-conflicting healthcare news. Despite the noise, what truly matters for your rehab program as you look ahead to 2019? Read Full Post

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) chose October – which is National Physical Therapy Month – to remind caregivers and the general public that physical therapy remains a safe and effective alternative to opioids for the treatment of chronic pain. Read Full Post