The prevalence of antipsychotics in SNFs has dropped consistently since the CMS mandate to reduce unnecessary usage went into effect in 2012. Read More »
Sen. Chuck Grassley asked Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to explain nearly $125 million in potential overcharges for Medicare Advantage plans. Read More »
State legislators are rallying behind bills to increase wages for nursing home workers and Medicaid reimbursement levels for nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. Read More »
The American Parkinson Disease Association kicks off a new campaign to highlight the spirit and stories of those with Parkinson's disease to raise awareness of the illness. Read More »
Kelly Papa took her idea for a dementia network and built it into a summit and an all-year dialogue that stretches across the state of Connecticut. Read More »
After months of political leverage on repealing the Affordable Care Act, the GOP decided to ditch its new House bill without voting on it. Now what? Read More »
Home based palliative care, or pre-hospice, programs aim to improve quality of life by bringing healthcare workers into the home and better care coordination—all while cutting costs for seniors and Medicare. And research shows it’s working. Read More »
Minutes before the House was scheduled to vote on the American Health Care Act, Speaker Paul Ryan was forced to withdraw the bill, citing lack of support. The bill would have made sweeping changes to Medicaid. Read More »
Sixteen people are mired in a $60 million scheme to rip off Medicare for false hospice services, including giving Schedule II controlled pain medication to patients who didn’t need them. Read More »
The California State Legislature will consider a bill to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) seniors living in long-term care from gender-based discrimination. Read More »
Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill that would raise the maximum penalty per year for violations at assisted living facilities in the state. Read More »
Federal regulations, set to go into effect in July, would require the more than 12,000 home health agencies participating in Medicare and Medicaid be more responsive--and responsible--for patients and caregivers. Read More »
The Senate has approved the president’s nomination of Representative Tom Price as the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Read More »
Federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch is a well-known expert and author on the legal and ethical facets of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. If confirmed, will he kill the discussion on death with dignity? Read More »
Four years after the Jimmo court case, Medicare officials, providers and senior advocates still can't agree on how to handle ongoing therapy services for patients who aren't improving. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has seen a substantial decline in hospitalization admissions among Medicare beneficiaries in long-term care. Read More »
Providers who overbill or fudge their therapy services are on the DOJ’s radar more than ever. So why is there still so much therapy billing fraud? Read More »
Home health agencies that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds must now comply with a new set of rules designed to close the gaps in care documentation. Read More »
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears details her lengthy—and frustrating—journey of setting up a Qualified Income Trust (QIT/Miller trust) to meet Ohio’s changing Medicaid eligibility requirements. Read More »
