OIG Recommends CMS Pay SNF Rates for CAH Swing Beds

The Office of Inspector General has released a report recommending that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) seek legislation to adjust Critical Access Hospital (CAH) swing-bed reimbursement rates to the lower SNF PPS rates paid for similar services at alternative facilities. CMS agreed with our finding that CAHs’ swing-bed utilization has increased but disagreed with our recommendation because of concerns with our findings on the availability of skilled nursing services at nearby alternative facilities and our calculation of savings. To read the full report, click HERE.