CMS may seek $225 million in uncollected Medicaid overpayments
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 25, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should press states to repay about $225 million in Medicaid overpayments accrued over a 10-year period, according to a recent report from the Department of...
Schumer introduces Medicare bill to cover SNF therapy after hospital observation stays
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 22, 2013
A new U.S. Senate bill would change a Medicare provision preventing many seniors from getting coverage for skilled nursing therapy after hospital “observation stays.”
Flu vaccine offered poor protection for seniors this year, CDC says
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 22, 2013
This season’s influenza vaccine was largely ineffective for seniors, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers released Thursday.
Government to step up HIPAA enforcement, release new compliance tools
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 22, 2013
The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will expand Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act enforcement efforts in the next two years, according to OCR Director...
Deficit-reduction plan to gain $600 billion from lower provider payments and higher beneficiary premiums
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 21, 2013
The co-chairs of President Barack Obama’s deficit reduction commission are promoting a way to achieve $600 billion in healthcare “savings” in a new version of their deficit reduction...
Striking nursing home employees return to work in Connecticut, but conflict continues
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 21, 2013
About 600 nursing home workers in Connecticut will return to their jobs after an eight-month strike, but they still haven’t resolved their differences with operator HealthBridge Management.
Dementia caregivers who receive foot massages at work enjoy lower blood pressure, less anxiety, researchers...
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 21, 2013
Caregivers working with seniors who have dementia benefit from foot massages administered during their shifts, suggests new research.
FDA should act faster to tighten access to common painkillers, legislators say
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 20, 2013
The Food and Drug Administration should “act without delay” in tightening access to hydrocodone painkillers such as Vicodin, Congressional lawmakers urged in a recent letter.
GPOs bring bottom-line benefits to long-term care providers, other healthcare organizations: report
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 20, 2013
Group purchasing organizations are making costs lower for long-term care operators and other healthcare providers, asserts a recent report from the Healthcare Group Purchasing Industry Initiative (HGPII).
After persistent citations, California nursing home company agrees to hire more staff, pay for oversight
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 20, 2013
A California nursing home operator must increase staffing levels, improve quality of care and pay for an independent monitor, according to a recent settlement with the state’s Office of the Attorney...