On October 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final payment rule for home health agencies, which will go into effect on January 1, 2015. We were pleased that CMS listened to comments from RehabCare, as well as other stakeholders, in advocating for therapy reassessments to be conducted every 30 calendar days.

Founded in 2006, World Stroke Day is a day set aside to raise awareness of the number four cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. It is imperative to understand the symptoms to recognize when you or a loved one may be experiencing a stroke. Recognizing the signs of a stroke can hasten the time it takes for a person to reach medical care, and receiving medical treatment as quickly as possible can minimize long-term effects or prevent death.

As part of an initiative to give lawmakers an intimate view into the power of therapy, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living invited members of Congress to visit rehab departments to see and hear about life-changing, patient-centered care. Many patients provided emotional testimonies about how different their lives would be without their physical, occupational and/or speech therapy, and the video was viewed at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo earlier this month in Washington D.C.

The consequences of chronic pain are far-reaching and go beyond physical sensations of ongoing discomfort. Research shows that unrelieved pain negatively impacts patients in every way – socially, physically and financially.

Tomorrow, October 15, RehabCare will present a webinar about MedSurg and early mobilization as part of Modern Healthcare’s day-long “Building Tomorrow’s Delivery Model” conference. Take the opportunity to join our webinar and learn more about MedSurg patients and therapy goals.

Together with Modern Healthcare, RehabCare is presenting a webinar on October 15 as part of the day-long “Building Tomorrow’s Delivery Model” conference. Please join us on Wednesday, October 15, beginning at 9:30 AM Eastern Time.

When it comes to rehabilitation, patients often have the option to choose who they trust with their recovery. Patients can research and interview therapists and rehabilitation providers to make sure they feel confident about the care they are going to receive. As the first installation in this series about selecting the best therapists and as part of Physical Therapy Month, Mary Moretti, DPT, PT, Director of Clinical Operations for RehabCare shares tips for selecting a great physical therapist and provider.

RehabCare, the rehabilitation division of Kindred Healthcare and the largest employer of rehabilitation therapists in the United States, is partnering with Bellarmine University of Louisville to establish a clinical residency program that will prepare students with specialized training and leadership skills needed to care for older, more vulnerable patients. The program will focus on training physical therapists and is one of just 12 of its kind in the country.

Healthy Aging Month is a time to focus on the positives of aging as well as the steps we can take to meet the challenges associated with getting older. As we experience changes in health, physical condition and medication regimens, it is imperative that we take falls more seriously.

Kindred Healthcare, RehabCare’s parent company, took the opportunity to comment recently on proposed changes to the timeframe of therapy assessments for home health patients. Kindred advocated for therapy reassessments to be conducted every 30 calendar days.