Advocacy

Washington Update: Republicans fail to support Boehner’s latest fiscal cliff proposal

On the Friday before the Christmas holiday, Congress is still nowhere on an agreement to avert sequestration and the fiscal cliff. Read More »

AHCA: Medicaid payment shortfalls projected at $7 billion for 2012

A new report released today by the American Health Care Association shows historic shortfalls in what Medicaid pays and what skilled nursing care actually costs. Read More »

ONC releases final EMR testing specs for 2014

No more guessing: After months of drafting and reviewing, the Final Testing Method for electronic medical records (EMRs) has been published by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Read More »

OIG report: CMS’ fraud system has promising first year

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Fraud Prevention Program gets a decent grade in its Year One evaluation, but the inspectors also have a few suggestions. Read More »

Medicare policies complicate aging-in-place strategies

If aging-in-place is on the rise, why is it becoming more difficult for stay-at-home seniors to get mobility equipment? Read More »

Report examines state legislatures’ 2012 impact on the assisted living industry

Whether legislation and regulation were proposed, enacted or pending, state governments had a busy year reviewing the assisted living industry. Read More »

HHS says no to full funding for partial Medicaid expansions

The Department of Health & Human Services clarified its position Monday on funding ratios for state Medicaid expansions and published an extensive FAQ list on state health insurance exchanges. Read More »

Washington Update: Medicare, ‘doc-fix’ and the ‘fiscal cliff’

Healthcare policy expert Blair Childs, vice president for public affairs at Premier healthcare alliance, gives his "insider impressions" of what’s happening on the Hill regarding a possible "doc-fix," Medicare funding, and possible Affordable Care Act policy changes as the deadline clock ticks down on the fiscal cliff. Read More »

Therapy cap would jeopardize seniors with Parkinson’s, stroke

Healthcare associations appeal to Congress to keep the therapy cap off the calendar for another year, as the clock ticks toward the December 31 Congressional deadline. Read More »

Survey: Voters want nursing homes off the ‘cliff’

Legislators may have a bitter pill to swallow at election time if Medicare cuts become part of the fiscal cliff deal. Read More »

BREAKING: GOP returns with counter-offer to avert ‘fiscal cliff’

Speaker of the House John Boehner delivered a new proposal to solve the budget crisis this afternoon-- including billions in healthcare cuts. Read More »

TN hospice takes the lead on palliative quality reporting

A Nashville hospice care provider has become the first hospice organization in the country to publicize its care quality data, raising the bar for others in the palliative care industry. Read More »

A cliffhanger for long-term care

A year ago, who would have thought such terms as “sequestration” and “fiscal cliff” would roll off our tongues so easily (even as some of us still grapple with comprehending the full impact of these concepts on our lives and industry). Read More »

BREAKING: HHS releases proposed rules for state insurance premiums, workplace wellness programs

The release of today's proposed rules brings the Department of Health & Human Services a few steps closer in building the rules for state health exchanges (HIX). Read More »

LTC industry seeks to avert fiscal cliff

The long-term care industry, concerned about the impact of potentially devastating “fiscal cliff” federal funding cuts, has launched a broad offensive in hopes of convincing Congress and President Obama to reach a deal that will prevent those reductions from being imposed. Read More »

BREAKING: Health exchanges: Holdout states get last-minute reprieve

Today was to be decision day for states on whether they intend to participate in the new state health exchange program, but an eleventh-hour extension from Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius gives the remaining eight states another few weeks to decide. Read More »

SNFs erred on 25% of claims in 2009; $1.5 billion in overpayments

The Office of Inspector General continues to unearth massive misreporting and over-billing in nursing home claims, especially where therapy is involved. Read More »

HHS submits rules for state insurance exchange benefits

The Department of Health and Human Services has submitted another rulemaking piece on state health insurance exchanges to the Office of Management and Budget—the last step before publication. Read More »

AHCA launches Ad firestorm at Congress: No Medicare/Medicaid cuts

Long-term care organizations are using an aggressive advertising campaign to tell Congress to end the deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Read More »

What President Obama’s re-election means for the future of long-term care

The votes are in: The Obama Administration now has four more years to further the healthcare initiatives begun under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. So, what happens next? Long-term care leaders, providers and industry experts weigh in on the implications of President Obama's reelection for the U.S. healthcare system and, specifically, the LTC industry. Read More »

2012 Elections: President Obama wins, balance of Congress retained

Voters returned President Obama to the White House, overcoming a resistance to his agenda by Congressional Republicans, an anemic economic recovery and a divided nation. Watch for Long-Term Living's continuing coverage and analysis of the presidential election. Read More »

CMS: Waiver status issued for New York state in Sandy’s wake

An emergency response meeting held by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services answers some questions on coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in New York, but many issues remain for long-term and acute care facilities in other states. Read More »

LTC transitions of care: Get collaborative or play catch-up, says national TOC group

Are transitions of care on your mind? You’re not alone. Read our on-site coverage of the National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC) Midwest Regional Summit, held this month in Cleveland, for tips and free tools to improve your TOC efforts. Read More »

National collaborative will foster innovation in senior housing and financing models

A national learning collaborative, launched at this week’s LeadingAge conference, is focused on creating new financial and service strategies for senior living. Read More »

Congratulations to the 2012 LeadingAge honorees

The future of aging is in good hands as LeadingAge presented its 2012 awards to outstanding individuals dedicated to serving America’s senior population. Read More »

LeadingAge to LTC providers: Demand change in healthcare delivery system

The overriding message from LeadingAge thought leaders at the group's annual meeting is that providers must step up to the plate and demand a say in the future of the country’s bloated and broken healthcare delivery system. Read More »

DOJ & HHS charge 91 people with $430 million in Medicare fraud

A federal strike force from the Department of health & Human Services and the U.S. Atorney General’s office have charged almost 100 people with a total of $430 million in fraudulent Medicare billing practices. Read More »

DOJ & HHS: Stop abusing electronic record technology for fraudulent Medicare billing

Five of the leading U.S. healthcare organizations got a prickly letter from the Department of Justice and Health & Human Services Monday: Stop misusing documentation and electronic medical record technology systems for fraudulent billing purposes, or else. Read More »

Preparing for the ‘silver tsunami’ across the globe

The United States isn’t the only country experiencing explosive growth within the senior demographic. As the elderly population and the costs of senior care rise across the globe, other countries are weighing the U.S. long-term care experience. How will they handle the need for expanded senior services? Read More »

Preparing for the ‘silver tsunami’ across the globe

The United States isn’t the only country experiencing explosive growth within the senior demographic. As the elderly population and the costs of senior care rise across the globe, other countries are weighing the U.S. long-term care experience. Read More »