It honestly pains me to say it, but The New York Times, America’s most substantive daily newspaper, has gotten things completely wrong when it comes to its recent coverage of the HITECH Act and electronic health records. And what the Times says matters. Read More »
As their revenues get squeezed, hospitals’ post-acute partners are more important than ever in the fight against unnecessary readmissions to protect their top line. Check out three free resources to help you prepare your pitch for in negotiating with a hospital CFO. Part one of a three-part series. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released its proposals for rate and payment changes for 2014. Seniors may be happy about the Part D drug changes, but insurers aren't as pleased with their end of deal. Read More »
Some $85 billion in across-the-board cuts in federal programs are expected to take place between March 1 and September 30 unless Congress, with some form of last minute heroics, can cut a deal to avoid those reductions, mandated by law, from being imposed. Read More »
The long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) industry made some good inroads last year in terms of information technology and electronic records, but 2013 should be a hallmark year of cooperation, connectivity and shared mission among LTPAC providers, acute care providers and the vendor community. Read More »
Rather than hooking up with other nursing groups, this nursing union is joining forces with another group of nurturers--the American Federation of Teachers. Read More »
A measure used by Medicare that penalizes hospitals for poor performance is not related to how many patients die after admittance, according to a new study. Read More »
President Barack Obama addressed challenges and opportunities facing the federal Medicare program, citing value-based purchasing in particular as an important change to the U.S. healthcare system, as well as proposing changes in pharmaceutical policy and in Medicare rules for wealthy seniors. Read More »
With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' mandated penalties at issue, hospitals and long-term care organizations are strategizing ways to reduce readmissions. Local communication and partnerships can go a long way in cutting down on traffic through the emergency room's "revolving door." Read More »
Hospitals made little progress on hospital readmission rates between 2008 and 2010, and some regions have far more readmissions than the national average. Read More »
The government’s healthcare fraud prevention and enforcement efforts recovered $4.2 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, up from nearly $4.1 billion in FY 2011, from individuals and companies that attempted to defraud federal health programs. Read More »
A San Diego hospice company files for bankruptcy protection amid federal investigations, while Scripps Health steps in to cover hospice needs in the region. Read More »
New trio of commissioners brings a wealth of experience to addressing the serious issues of services and supports for seniors and others with disabilities across the healthcare continuum. Read More »
A new reporting system, created by CMS, will enable long-term care hospitals to provide more complete and accurate data on the quality of care their patients receive. Read More »
The Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday released dismal statistics on how many employers may stop offering health benefits because of the new employer-based health plan rules. Read More »
The Congressional Budget Office lowered spending expectations for Medicare and Medicaid for 2013-2023, according to a report released Tuesday. Read More »
LTC providers are poised to play a big part in turning around the trend of high hospital readmissions with the ever-increasing tools and support continuing to be generated by the innovative within their own industry. Three providers share their effective strategies. Read More »
In this blog, Pamela Tabar recounts her two-week visit with a group of septuagenarians, and how snowbirding seniors can teach us a lot about the high-tech, high-service expectations senior living organizations are going to have to meet--starting now. Read More »
The Obama Administration on Friday said it would seek public comment on a new "opt-out" provision that is designed to meet the concerns of faith-based opponents to the earlier contraceptive mandate proposed for the ACA. Read More »
The Affordable Care Act requires states to have policies to combat fraud, but each state can choose how to do it. A new database shows what each state is doing to combat Medicaid fraud on their home turf. Read More »
Hundreds of provider sites are ready to test the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ four new models for restructuring the way episodes of care are paid for. Read More »
President Obama touched on Medicare and Medicaid in his second inaugural address on Jan. 21, in a speech with a strong focus on unity among Americans and with a heavy emphasis on social progress. Read More »
The fiscal cliff battle is behind us, but the nation is heading to another possible financial crisis caused largely by politics, and the nursing home sector—and their residents—could well be caught in the middle. Read More »
While the original filing deadline has passed, states have been given another extension for compliance with Obamacare’s health insurance exchange mandate. Read More »
