The National Association for the Support of Long Term Care (NASL) is a trade association representing the legislative and regulatory interests of companies that provide physical, occupational and speech-language pathology therapies; portable x-ray/EKG and ultrasound; health information technology systems; and products such as complex medical equipment, parenteral and enteral supplies, equipment and nutrients; and additional specialized supplies for long term and post acute care settings nationally. The mission of NASL is to represent ancillary service providers and suppliers in the long term and post acute care community on healthcare policy and to advocate for high-quality, cost-effective care.

IN THE NEWS

CMS announced Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH) and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated. Providers may preview their performance data from now until June 30, 2018, before the reports are publicly displayed on the Nursing Home Compare, LTCH Compare and IRF Compare sites respectively.  Read more on CMS.gov under the Quality Reporting Spotlight Announcements for LTCHs, IRFs and SNFs.  (6/1/18) 

CMS released an interim final rule that will increase pay for durable medical equipment provided in rural and other areas not covered by the competitive bidding program from June through the end of the year, and CMS says more rules are planned on rates for DME and enteral nutrition in 2019 and beyond.  The rule also excludes from the bidding program certain drugs used with DME. (5/9/18)

NASL submitted comments to CMS on the IMPACT Act Transfer of Health Information & Care Preferences - Medication Profile Transferred Draft Measure. The draft measure is being reviewed and will not be implemented this October as originally planned Read NASL's comments.  (5/3/18)

As a co-organizer of the LTPAC Health IT Summit, NASL is delighted to confirm that the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Dr. Don Rucker, will keynote the Summit on the morning of Tuesday, June 26, 2018.  Register today.  (5/2/18)


CMS released three (SNF, IRF, LTCH PPS) proposed rules this week, to include:

• Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System & Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF PPS) for FY 2019, SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program, and SNF Quality Reporting Program Proposed Rule
• Medicare Program: Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System (IRF PPS) for Federal Fiscal Year 2019 Proposed Rule
• Medicare Programs: Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and Long Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Proposed Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2019 Rates; etc. Proposed Rule

NASL members may download a short summary of the proposed rules here.  (4/27/18)

Myths busted! SNF therapy is a great place for debunking persistent misconceptions and lore. NASL and its members are featured in a McKnight's article about NASL's "Top 100 Medicare Therapy Myths in Skilled Nursing & Home Health” resource. (McKnight's, 04/08/18).