Regulatory Compliance

Nursing home false claims allegations settled with $3.8M payment

Two California nursing homes persistently overmedicated residents, causing infection, sepsis, malnutrition, dehydration, falls, fractures, pressure ulcers and, for some residents, premature death, the federal government maintains. Read More »

A deadly fire sweeps through nursing home in Central China

The importance of complying with fire suppression regulations in U.S. nursing home facilities is underscored by a recent report of a Chinese nursing home destroyed by an undetermined blaze. Read More »

Federal agencies should work together to help adults age in place, GAO says

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should help federal agencies work together to ensure that government resources related to home- and community-based services are used effectively and efficiently, the Government Accountability Office recommends. Read More »

HIPAA privacy meets BYOD

Communication devices are everywhere. Indiscriminate use of “bring your own device” policies can threaten privacy for residents and your organization. Read More »

Using the Readmission RRT (rapid response tool)

A new plan focuses on the reduction of avoidable transfers of residents from post-acute care facilities to hospitals and emergency department admissions. Read More »

Legislation to speed new drug development under way on Capitol Hill

The “21st Century Cures” initiative would spur innovation and drug “repurposing” to attack Alzheimer's and other difficult-to-treat diseases. Read More »

FDA rule requests safety, effectiveness data on OTC topical antiseptics

Gels, liquids or wipes—hand hygiene is encouraged everywhere. Healthcare professionals know how vital hand sanitation is in preventing the spread of infection. Read More »

e-prescribing and controlled substances

State stumblings over the e-prescribing of controlled substances is a lesson for long-term care organizations: How ready are you for e-prescribing mandates? Read More »

Senate votes to continue Independence at Home pilots

Independence at Home demonstration projects would continue under a bill passed by the U.S. Senate. The legislation now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives. Read More »

Bill would expand veterans’ access to skilled nursing

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health deliberated today about a bipartisan bill that would expand veterans’ access to skilled nursing and other healthcare options. Read More »

HCR ManorCare accused of fraud but disputes claims

The federal government says that HCR ManorCare routinely submitted false claims for rehabilitation therapy services that were not medically reasonable and necessary, but ManorCare asserts that the lawsuit boils down to a “billing dispute.” Read More »

Nursing home negligence?

Negligence has specific legal definitions—and personal injury lawyers love to muddy them. Long-Term Living legal blogger Alan C. Horowitz, RN, JD, explains what nursing homes can do to protect themselves. Read More »

Congress addresses post-acute care payment reform

MedPAC, lawmakers call for payment revisions to cut costs and eliminate abuse in how post-acute care facilities are reimbursed to improve quality of care. Read More »

NTOCC launches care transitions resource database

The National Transitions of Care Coalition launches an online database of applications, tools and educational resources for improving care transitions and quality outcomes. Read More »

Workplace violence: OSHA updates guidelines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated its guidelines for preventing and reducing incidents of violence in healthcare settings. Read More »

CMS clarifies actions on expiring provisions

As the U.S. Senate continues its spring recess, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clarified what actions it will take until mid-April. Several provisions that may be addressed by passage of a “doc fix” bill expired today. Read More »

Rethinking end-of-life care

Top leaders in healthcare policy discuss how to change the culture of dying to one driven by residents instead of physicians—and how to find more insurance models to pay for hospice and palliative care. Read More »

Fraud prevention, enforcement efforts recover $3.3B in FY 2014

The government’s healthcare fraud prevention and enforcement efforts recovered $3.3 billion in fiscal year 2014 from individuals and companies that attempted to defraud federal health programs serving seniors and others, according to a new report. Read More »

U.S. House passes doc-fix bill that would repeal SGR

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to end the sustainable growth rate formula, passing a permanent doc-fix instead. Read More »

Major drug retailers named in FDA complaint

The quality of manufacture and efficacy may be called into question when the country of origin is a mystery to the user. Made in U.S.A. Foundation stresses the importance of labeling medications and supplements. Read More »

Concerns remain after introduction of SGR replacement bill

Senate and House leaders have introduced legislation to replace the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula tied to physician compensation, but organizations representing aging services providers are expressing concerns related to Medicare therapy caps and payment cuts to providers of post-acute care. Read More »

Joint Commission issues first SNF memory care certification

A California nursing home is the first skilled nursing facility in the country to receive certification for memory care under the Joint Commission’s new program. Read More »

GAO: Expand cuts in antipsychotic drug use

Assisted living communities and home health agencies will be some of the next frontiers for the federal government’s efforts to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications in those with dementia, following a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office. Read More »

Electronic Medicare statements let seniors be fraud detectives, senators say

A new Senate bill could put more fraud-fighting power in the hands of seniors themselves. Read More »

Online tool aids the ICD-10 transition

A new online mapping tool can help transition to ICD-10, a study shows. Read More »

Sprinkler systems save lives

Two recent fires—one a tragedy, one a triumph—prove the wisdom of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate to require sprinkler systems in skilled nursing facilities. Read More »

Nursing home penalties top $100 million

An examination of recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nursing Home Compare data generates disturbing insights on the number of fines levied on skilled nursing facilities. Read More »

CMS announces Nursing Home Compare changes

As promised Feb. 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services publicly announced changes to the five-star rating system used on its Nursing Home Compare website Feb. 20. Some organizations representing aging services providers are expressing concerns. Read More »

First federal rule issued for ombudsman programs

The Administration for Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has published the first federal regulations for the long-term care ombudsman programs in the Federal Register in an effort to improve consistency among state programs. Read More »

Interoperability takes center stage in Washington

This month’s annual meeting of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology featured a keynote by HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announcing the agency’s plan to increase the adoption of health IT. Read More »