Solving the problem of hospital readmissions will take much more than follow-up calls at home. Each link in the care chain has quality improvements to make, say health IT experts at the 2012 LTPAC Health IT Summit. Read More »
With the federal government’s escalating war on healthcare fraud and abuse, long-term care operators are on high alert in their efforts to be compliant in documentation and reporting. A leading educator pounds home the need for documentation and compliance. Read More »
HHS and the Office of Health Reform announced today that customers will get money back from insurers who didn’t meet 80/20 rule. Payors will also have to explain why they didn't meet the mandate. Read More »
NASL’s Cynthia Morton shares insights on Congressional legislation and CMS innovation projects with attendees at this week’s eHDS User Group meeting. Read More »
It’s been a week of high anxiety for the long-term care industry as anticipation builds for the U.S. Supreme Court’s impending decision on the fate of the Affordable Care Act, expected to come down before the end of the month. Read More »
Throughout the country, select organizations have received CMS Innovation awards for projects that aim to improve healthcare and access to people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs. Read More »
The Senate Appropriations Committee today struck down several amendments aimed at putting a chokehold on funds allotted by the Affordable Care Act, including a prevention fund containing millions for eldercare initiatives. Read More »
America’s senior citizens continue to be the target of swindles and scams. According to e a recent online survey, nearly all respondents agree that older adults are vulnerable to financial exploitation. Read More »
AANAC’s Judi Kulus provides a roadmap through the maze of recent MDS 3.0 updates and errata releases, while pointing out some potential pitfalls in handling resident interviews, assessments, file error correction and queries to CMS. Read More »
Another bitter battle is brewing on Capitol Hill over how to prevent student loan interest rates from increasing from the current 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1, and believe it or not, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities may be asked to help pay the tab. Read More »
Although funding was approved in last year’s Ohio budget, Gov. John Kasich slashed bonuses to high-performing nursing homes by a line-item veto for the state’s midterm budget review. Read More »
Problems in the VA Aid and Attendance program have created a cottage industry of predators that target vulnerable seniors to convince them that they are entitled to a pension. The senior is then marketed financial products that he or she does not need and might not benefit from. Read More »
In 2012, it's hard to believe that people still go hungry in the United States. When a senior doesn't have enough food or good nutrition, that is a recipe for health complications. Read More »
The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) tell Congress to stop eyeing Medicaid tax rates as rescue funds for student loans. Read More »
New research data shows that many Medicare recipients are prevented from transferring to skilled care based on their hospital admission status. Read More »
The Obama Administration seems determined to keep patients in their community settings and out of nursing homes for as long as possible. Obviously that will mean fewer admissions to long-term care facilities, so those facilities must be thinking of ways to adapt in order to remain viable. Read More »
Funds for improved access for consumer information on community services and supports for seniors and others with disabilities is on the horizon. Read More »
CMS announces a new partnership initiative to combat the improper use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes. Through better reporting and data sharing, the partnership vows to cut the use of antipsychotics in nursing homes by 15 percent before the end of this year. Read More »
A proposed amendment to pending legislation would require federal regulators to issue guidelines requiring nursing homes to get permission from patients or designated advocates before administering antipsychotics. Read More »
Diaz urged the committee to consider the impact of additional payment cuts—including the impending 2 percent sequestration cut to Medicare payments beginning in January 2013 and continuing for 10 years—on LTC's ability to continue innovation pilots. Read More »
According to NCAL, both proposed rules would disqualify a community-based provider, such as assisted living or a group home, from participating in Medicaid because they are on or near a property containing an institutional setting. Read More »
With approximately 2.5 million people dying each year, the need for quality palliative and hospice services is at an all-time high. There is an increased focus on palliative and hospice care by the public and private sectors to ensure that high-quality end-of-life care is available to our aging population. Read More »
The top leaders of the major long-term healthcare associations gathered recently during the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) Annual Convocation to take on the challenges of providing care to older adults and disabled individuals in a time of tightening resources, fewer workers and an influx of residents. Read More »
In Pennsylvania, a nursing home, unwilling to wait for a woman's Medicaid approval and reimbursement, sues her son to recover the $93K debt. It's called the "filial responsibility law" and it's on the books in 30 states. Read More »
