Judge dismisses claims of ‘nationwide’ Medicare fraud in Omnicare antipsychotics case
By
McKnight's Staff
May 23, 2013
Long-term care pharmacy Omnicare will not face charges that it engaged in “nationwide” Medicare fraud for off-label antipsychotics prescriptions, a federal judge recently ruled. However, the...
Long-term care providers should follow hospitals in adopting EHRs, government says
By
McKnight's Staff
May 23, 2013
Healthcare providers have already exceeded the government’s 2013 adoption goals for electronic health records, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday.
Five-day COPD treatment quells flare-ups, reduces side effects, researchers find
By
McKnight's Staff
May 23, 2013
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease flare-ups do better with a shorter round of prednisone, researchers have found.
Experts tell lawmakers: Obama Medicare proposals would hurt long-term care — or maybe not
By
McKnight's Staff
May 22, 2013
U.S. lawmakers heard mixed messages at a hearing Tuesday on how proposed Medicare cost-sharing reforms would impact long-term care. The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health focused in particular...
Nursing home administrators can rise to ‘unrealistic expectations’ with disaster management,...
By
McKnight's Staff
May 22, 2013
One day after a powerful tornado destroyed a hospital and devastated an Oklahoma town, long-term care stakeholders gathered at a disaster preparedness conference organized by the Center for Preparedness...
Long-term care physicians respond to report on antipsychotic over-prescribing
By
McKnight's Staff
May 22, 2013
The top professional association of long-term care physicians and medical directors has reiterated its commitment to reducing the use of antipsychotics for dementia care. It did so Tuesday, in response...
SNFs could see 50% payment reduction for Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan claims
By
McKnight's Staff
May 21, 2013
The federal government’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will reduce its payments to skilled nursing facilities by 50% as of June 15, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services....
Emeritus turns to high-profile law firm to appeal $23 million verdict
By
McKnight's Staff
May 21, 2013
Emeritus Senior Living has engaged high-profile attorneys in its bid to overturn the verdict handed down by a jury in March, under which Emeritus would have to pay nearly $23 million in punitive damages...
Discovery could lead to faster, fuller healing of diabetic wounds, researcher says
By
McKnight's Staff
May 21, 2013
Injecting a plasma protein called plasminogen around chronic diabetic wounds can lead to complete healing, according to new research from Umea University in Sweden.
CMS issues more in-depth survey guidelines to reduce readmissions; invites comments on assistant reporting
By
McKnight's Staff
May 20, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has revised the provider certification manual for hospitals, giving more in-depth guidelines around discharge planning. The goal is for hospitals to reduce...