As part of an effort to improve coordination among different care settings and reduce rehospitalizations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is now accepting two new codes related to transitional...
States make Medicaid enrollment easier in preparation for healthcare reform
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 25, 2013
Most states are making the Medicaid application process easier as they prepare for implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to a recently released study from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid...
Judge grants final approval of Jimmo settlement
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 25, 2013
Marking another step toward guaranteeing Medicare coverage for nursing home residents needing skilled services, a federal judge on Thursday approved the October 2012 settlement agreement in Jimmo v. Sebelius.
Nasty norovirus strain hits long-term care facilities especially hard
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 25, 2013
Long-term care facilities are seeing the worst of a nationwide outbreak of a potentially dangerous new strain of norovirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday.
Long-term care providers, hospitals successfully partner to reduce rehospitalizations
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 24, 2013
Long-term care facilities that coordinate with other healthcare providers play a vital role in reducing rehospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries, according to a study published January 23 in The...
Study: Residents with multiple diseases, urinary incontinence at high risk for falls
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 24, 2013
Nursing home residents who have multiple diseases are most prone to falls, according to a study recently published in the journal BMC Geriatrics. Urinary incontinence, antidepressant use, multiple medication...
Researchers urge a broad-based approach to cut Medicare rehospitalizations
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 24, 2013
Efforts to reduce the rehospitalization rate for older patients should not strictly focus on measures tied to particular diseases or diagnoses, researchers recently proposed.
Medicare, Medicaid fight could take center stage after debt ceiling extension
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 23, 2013
Medicare and Medicaid funds could face steep cuts in the House of Representatives’ 2014 budget. GOP congressional leaders have promised dramatic spending reductions to rally conservative support...
FDA approves Botox as effective treatment for overactive bladder
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 23, 2013
Botox may be more synonymous with the Real Housewives reality franchise than long-term care residents, but it could soon be a treatment of choice for urinary incontinence.
Aspirin may be tied to age-related macular degeneration, researchers find
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 23, 2013
Those who take aspirin regularly may be in danger of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), researchers in Australia have found.