Policy

ACOs thwarted by lack of interoperability

Accountable Care Organizations have spent the past four years struggling to achieve the goals that set them apart. But ACOs still don't have the one thing needed for success: data interoperability. Read More »

CMS examines racial, ethnic disparities in healthcare

Racial and ethnic minority populations are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days for certain chronic conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is exploring the relationship readmission rates and diversity. Read More »

3-day waiver rule on the way out?

The 3-day hospital stay rule might be waving goodbye, but the American Health Care Association warns the new CMS proposal would put some nursing homes—and their residents—at a disadvantage. Read More »

CMS finalizes Medicaid prescription drug reforms

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized reforms to the rebate and reimbursement systems for Medicaid prescription drugs. Read More »

NJ governor vetoes staffing minimums

Gov. Chris Christie rejected legislation to set patient quotas for certified nursing assistants who work in nursing homes. The legislation was intended to improve residentsafety and quality of life. Read More »

Hawaii legislature proposes LTC benefits for seniors

Proposed legislation could make Hawaii the first state in the nation to offer long-term care benefits to seniors.  Read More »

Eden Alternative’s Bill Thomas joins Mainstreet

The investment firm's healthcare arm taps one of the country’s most famous senior care culture change gurus. Read More »

Joint Commission launches new certification for total hip and knee replacements

Advanced certifications for certain joint replacement procedures could help the market bring quality to the fore from pre-op all the way to the rehabilitation center. Read More »

Brain Health Registry gets a boost

Thanks to a new partnership, the Brain Health Registry, a global online registry of volunteers who are taking part in data-gathering to uncover new clues about Alzheimer’s disease and how to treat it, could have thousands of new enrollees by fall. Read More »

New bill aims to eliminate manual lifting

Many in the long-term care industry applaud the proposed legislation to require assistive devices in all lifting cases, but no one is sure how compliance will be enforced—or who's going to pay for all the equipment. Read More »

Unprecedented $350 million federal funding increase for Alzheimer’s research

The fiscal year 2016 federal spending bill includes $350 million more for Alzheimer's disease research funding. It's the first time in 12 years the National Institutes of Health have seen a boost in funding. Read More »

Who should do medication reconciliation safety: RNs, LPN or both?

Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have different skills and work processes when it comes to medication reconciliation, say researchers at the University of Missouri. Read More »

Congress to consider VA provider agreement legislation

Will veterans soon be able to obtain care from non-VA LTC facilities? Long-Term Living's Washington reporter Bob Gatty takes a look at the proposed care model. Read More »

AADNS names Grachek and Hurley to exec team of new DON association

The two leaders will bring experience from ACHCA and the National Gerontological Nurses Association to the new director of nursing services association launching in the spring as a sister-association of AANAC. Read More »

AGS studies person-centered care definitions, quality scope

What does “person-centered care” entail? The American Geriatrics Society teamed up with The SCAN Foundation and the University of Southern California to research the definitions and quality scope of healthcare that is focused on the person and not on the condition. Read More »

$5M lawsuit filed in Ga. retirement community fire

The legal troubles continue over the June fire at Marshall Square Retirement Community, Evans, Ga., which killed one resident and displaced more than 80, as a new lawsuit alleges flawed management and a dangerous "shelter in place" policy. Read More »

NCAL names new CEAL board chair

The organization elects its director of workforce and quality improvement to the Center for Excellence in Assisted Living board helm. Read More »

In memoriam: Robert N. Mayer, healthcare visionary and philanthropist

Mayer, the founder and president of the Hulda B. & Maurice L. Rothschild Foundation, served as a healthcare and aging services advocate for more than 20 years. Read More »

National health spending picks up steam

The national healthcare spending growth rate has accelerated for the first time after five years of sluggish growth, according to new annual data from CMS. Read More »

Why aren’t Californians connecting with MediConnect?

The opt-out rate for California’s new pilot program for dual-eligibles is so high the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research just got a massive grant to study why. Read More »

Texas ALF settles fire sprinkler suit

The owners of a Fort Worth, Texas assisted living complex learn the cost of sprinkler system violations. Read More »

Connecticut to require comprehensive employee background check for long-term care facilities

The state Department of Public Health launched an applicant background check Web portal designed to protect residents and help long-term care providers identify offenders who might not be suited to work at their facilities. Read More »

CMS gets to work on new value-based fee structure

Now that the SGR is history, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is tackling the new value-based payment model. Leading long-term care organizations are playing important roles in advising the new policies. Read More »

Study: More insurance options can improve long-term services and supports

A new study sponsored by LeadingAge, The SCAN Foundation and AARP found the number of Americans who need long-term help with daily activities will more than double by 2055. New insurance options are needed to pay for increasing costs.  Read More »

CA advocates sue to stop illegal unloading of nursing home residents

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform and three nursing home residents have filed a lawsuit against the state saying it is allegedly illegally allowing residents to be "dumped" from nursing homes to hospitals. Read More »

Office of Inspector General plans to crack down on fraud and cut costs

The OIG released its Work Plan for fiscal year 2016. Long-term care providers can expect reviews of claims and payment documentation as well as consolidated equipment and pharmaceutical purchases. Read More »

New budget includes significant increases for OSHA violations

The new budget signed this week includes hefty increases in fines for occupational  (OSHA) violations Read More »

Skilled nursing facility provider accused of falsifying Medicare claims

Department of Justice intervenes in three separate lawsuits alleging SavaSeniorCare provided unnecessary therapy treatment and delayed discharges to increase Medicare payments to help meet unrealistic corporate financial goals. Read More »

LeadingAge changes the name “CCRC” to reflect today’s senior values

LeadingAge is getting rid of the clunky term "continuing care retirement community," saying it's outdated and no longer reflects what seniors want or how they view themselves. A new term for the category is far better, leaders at the annual conference say. Read More »

CMS issues proposed rule for patient preferences in discharge summaries

The proposal would affect long-term care hospitals, inpatient facilities and home health agencies that participate in CMS reimbursement programs. Read More »