National Association of Rehab Providers and Agencies

 

NARA is About "The Business of Rehab"

The National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies (NARA) was founded in 1978, and  functions as a trade association representing the interests of a membership base spanning across the nation.  NARA's membership is open to rehab therapy organizations.  Current membership represents rehab businesses consisting of over 22,000 healthcare professionals dedicated to providing a multitude of skilled rehabilitation therapy services to individuals in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, skilled care, assisted living, educational systems, industry / occupational health.

Although tenured with a vast and successful history, the association continues to evolve and invigorate its dynamics and infrastructure to positively represent and affect change in the rehabilitation therapy industry. The purpose and continued efforts of NARA focuses upon the following foundation.  Read More....

News for Rehab Providers

CMS Announces Special Open Door Forum: Review of the Advance Payment Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) Model (December 28, 2011)

The conference call only will be conducted on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 2:30pm through 4:00pm EST. To access the forum dial Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Conference ID: 39623933. Earlier this fall, CMS announced a new Advance Payment Model for physician-based and rural Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the Shared Savings Program. ACOs selected to participate in the Advanced Payment Model will receive up front payments that will be recouped from the shared savings they earn. CMS will host a Special Open Door Forum to review the Advance Payment ACO Model and the application template. On or before the morning of this Special Open Door Forum, a slideshow presentation will be posted to the Advance Payment Model ACO Application Information webpage. A template of the application for the Advance Payment ACO Model is also now available on a new Advance Payment Model Application Information webpage. The updated information on the webpage explains the application process, including how to obtain log-in credentials for the web tool. The template released is not an application form that should be filled out. The Innovation Center will accept applications through a web tool.

Therapy Caps Exceptions Process and Physician Fee Schedule Fix Extended Until February 29, 2012 (December 23, 2011)

The President signed The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 on December 23, 2011. This includes a 2 month extension of the therapy cap exceptions process and delays the physician fee schedule cuts of 27.4%. The extension will expire on February 29, 2012.

CMS Posts Another Clarification Document on the SNF PSS Final Rule (December 2, 2011)

The first was a follow up to the provider calls on August 23, 2011 and September 1, 2011. The one posted earlier this week is a follow up to the provider call on November 3, 2011. There are also slides and transcripts of the calls on the CMS website (see ww.cms.gov/SNFPPS). On the left click on Education and Training. Then on the left again click on “2011 RUG IV Education and Training.” Scroll to downloads. The two clarification documents are “8/23/11 National Provider Call Follow Up and Clarifications.” Was posted in September and then updated Oct 5. It covers the 8/23 and the 9/1 calls. The other is “9/3/11 National Provider Call Follow Up and Clarifications.” Critical documents for members dealing with SNFs. The second was posted November 29, 2011.

NARA Plans Legislative Update Audio Conference with George Olsen (November 18, 2011)

Are you looking for updates on what is happening in Washington DC and how it impacts your rehab business? Join NARA on December 15th at 2:30pm EST for an update audio conference presented by George Olsen. Registration is currently being accepted click here to register online or submit your registration via fax/email with this form.

CMS to Hold SNF PPS MDS 3.0, Resource Utilization Group-Version 4, and Clarifications National Provider Call on November 3 at 1:30pm EST (October 19, 2011)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a National Provider Call on "Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 and Resource Utilization Group-Version 4 (RUG-IV) Policies and Clarifications.” CMS subject matter experts will provide a brief overview of the policies, along with clarifications on the SNF PPS FY2012 policies related to the MDS 3.0. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. Registration will close at 12:00 pm on Thursday, November 3 or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made. Please register early. For more details, including instructions on registering for the call, please visit http://www.eventsvc.com/blhtechnologies.

CMS Releases Document Regarding Implementing SNF PPS Final Rule (October 3, 2011)

CMS has recently released a Clarification Document on the 8/23/11 SNF Provider Call and 9/1/11 SNF/LTC Open Door Forum. This is a critical document as it answers important questions regarding implementing the SNF PPS Final Rule. These clarifications were implemented 10/1/11. You can access the document by clicking here or by going to www.cms.gov/SNFPPS on left side, click “Education & Training”; then on left, click “FY 2012 RUG IV Education & Training.” Under Downloads click “8/23/11 National Provider Call Follow-Up & Clarifications.”

Upcoming Events Include: Fall Conference, Legislative Audio Conference, and Compliance Audio Conference (September 15, 2011)

NARA's Fall Conference: Performing When the Stakes are High is still accepting registrations. This is a conference with educational sessions related to using today's technology for success, creating new programming for new revenue, providing industry regulation changes, and so much more you will not want to miss. NARA will also be hosting a Legislative Update with George Olsen on September 22nd and a Compliance audio conference with Nancey Beckley on November 10th. For more information on these events click here.

Early Bird Registration Discounts for Fall Conference Expire on September 16th (August 9, 2011)

The early bird discounts on registration will expire on September 16th. You can register online or via fax and email with the registration form. For more information click here. For Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities click here or contact our offices at nara.admin@naranet.org.

NARA Publishes Agenda and Is Accepting Registrations for Fall Conference (August 9, 2011)

NARA announced the agenda for Fall Conference which will begin on October 12, 2011 and conclude on October 14, 2011. The conference will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel. This annual event will provide attendees with the most current industry updates impacting physical, occupational, and speech therapy providers and businesses in all settings. For more information click here. For Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities click here or contact our offices at nara.admin@naranet.org.

NARA Announces Dates for Spring 2012 Conference (July 10, 2011)

NARA announced the Spring Conference will begin at 1pm on June 13, 2012 and end after an industry leadership roundtable discussion on Friday, June 15, 2012. This annual event provides attendees with the most current updates impacting physical, occupational, and speech therapy providers and businesses in all settings. Once again, attendees will have the opportunity to visit and discuss these issues with their Congressional representatives the morning of Friday, June 15. If you would like to receive updates as they become available please email NARA Central at nara.admin@naranet.org. Please stay tuned to the NARA Conference information page for further updates as they become available.

Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2012 (July 5, 2011)

On July 1, 2011, CMS released the proposed rule updating Medicare payments to physicians for calendar year 2012. The proposed rule contains dozens of other provisions impacting Medicare Part B reimbursement - some initiated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. For more information click here.

NARA is Looking for Vendors/Sponsors for Upcoming Fall Conference (March 1, 2011)

NARA announced the Fall Conference will have a full day pre-conference on October 12, 2011 followed by a two day conference on October 13 and 14, 2011. The conference will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel. This annual event will provide attendees with the most current industry updates impacting physical, occupational, and speech therapy providers and businesses in all settings. If you would like to receive updates as they become available please email NARA Central at nara.admin@naranet.org. For Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities click here or contact our offices at nara.admin@naranet.org.

Accreditation Collaboration with AAAASF (January 27, 2010)

Over the past two years NARA has collaborated with the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF) in support of their effort to gain “deemed status” with the Centers for Medicare / Medicaid Services (CMS) as a surveyor of Rehabilitation Agencies.    When first approached by AAAASF over two years ago, NARA was pleased with the opportunity as industry experts from our membership collaborated with AAAASF to provide guidance and expertise in the process of establishing an alternative mechanism to the state licensing and accreditation survey delays that ultimately negatively impacted NARA members and other industry providers.    Since then, we’ve also learned of and provided information to our membership regarding The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF’s) similar effort.  Ultimately, NARA has been pleased with and supportive of these efforts by both the AAAASF and CARF, offering alternatives to our industry. Click here for the entire message.

The NARA office can be reached by phone at (866) 839-7710, by fax at (800) 716-1847, or by email at nara.admin@naranet.org.

You can now find the National Association of Rehab Providers & Agencies on these Networking Sites:

NARA Job Board Now Active

Are You Looking for a Job in Rehab?

Are You An Employer Posting a Job?

NARA Historical Front Pages News

As new news pops up previous Front Page news and features drops down. You can find the historical news feed here.

NARA SharePoint (mEMBERS Only)

ELITE MEMBERS

 

Gold SponsorS

 

Do you want to be added to NARA's email list? Click here.