Rehabilitation therapy is more important than ever, especially regarding those affected by COVID-19. This impact of early rehabilitation is demonstrated in two recent COVID-19 patient success stories from Kindred Healthcare partner Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where two survivors were recently discharged – Alan Stolba and Larry Potter. Read Full Post

“Early rehabilitation of the COVID-19 patients can enhance pulmonary, respiratory function, reduce complications, improve function, cognitive impairments and quality of life,” according to a recent study published by the Journal of Rehabilitation Management. The study found that medical rehabilitation could play a vital role in the recovery in COVID-19 patients with non-respiratory presentations and complications. Read Full Post

In late 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized the Physician Fee Schedule for this calendar year, which includes several updates and changes to the provision, payment and paperwork related to Medicare Part B Physical Therapy services. These changes included new rules that have already gone into effect earlier this year, and for new initiatives coming in 2021 and 2022. Read Full Post

A rehab program is only as good as its staff. Acquiring and retaining top rehab talent is critical for program effectiveness. Staffing issues can burden providers with additional costs and make it hard for them to deliver a consistently high quality of care. It’s no secret that medical industry is facing a growing talent shortage. Recent estimates predict that America will be short of more than 130,000 doctors by 2025 and specialized departments will suffer especially high shortage rates. Read Full Post

A growing healthcare trend that will almost certainly ramp up in 2020 is “consumerism,” the concept that patients and their family members are taking even more ownership of care decisions based upon costs and their understanding of the full scope of options available to them based on research and trustworthy sources of information. In response, healthcare providers have been asked to respond with more price transparency and demonstrated quality outcomes. Read Full Post

Kindred Hospital Rehabilitation Services (KHRS) began working with our internal teams and partners in 2014 to prepare for the changes mandated through the IMPACT Act that would ultimately go into effect in 2019. In order to effectively transition from the long-used FIM tool to section GG, the IRF industry required a revised strategy with new tools, resources and training to succeed. In preparation for the changes to the new IRF-PAI system and new requirements, KHRS developed a comprehensive training and implementation plan to ensure a smooth transition for all of our hospital partners. Read Full Post

Trend to Watch: Healthcare Consolidation Aims to Close Gaps and Drive Value-Based Care In 2020, the continued – and growing – trend toward integrated production, including non-traditional partners, is helping to define an age of major transformation across the healthcare industry. While mergers and acquisitions between hospitals, health systems and physician practices may be waning, consolidation among unlikely partners has accelerated. These types of relationships include the ongoing integration between CVS and Aetna and the announced deal between Walmart and Amedysis. Read Full Post

A recent study conducted by the University of Texas Medical Branch adds to the research indicating that inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) are the best possible post-acute care option for patients who have suffered a stroke. Read Full Post

As value-based care reforms challenge hospitals to reduce costs and improve outcomes, one solution pursued by more and more hospitals and inpatient organizations is to outsource certain clinical and non-clinical services to third-party vendors. Read Full Post

Today’s healthcare environment is changing rapidly, resulting in increasing challenges for providers running acute rehabilitation programs. One of the most common obstacles is patient access. Read Full Post