Pioneer ACOs post mixed results, but providers still have faith in the model
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 18, 2013
Mixed results from the first year of an ambitious accountable care organization program should not deter providers from moving toward coordinated care models, according to prominent observers. All 32 of...
MDS changes challenge providers to be compliant yet adaptable, expert says
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 17, 2013
Providers are simultaneously coping with significant changes to survey guidelines and increased oversight, making it more important than ever to develop a responsive and well-informed staff, a compliance...
Rate of dementia has declined dramatically, but not in nursing homes, study finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 17, 2013
The rate of seniors developing dementia decreased by nearly a quarter over the last 20 years in England and Wales, although the percentage of nursing home residents with dementia increased, according to...
CMS should confirm its opposition to deemed status for nursing homes, consumer advocates urge
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 16, 2013
Independent accrediting organizations currently are not allowed to grant skilled nursing facilities “deemed status” as Medicare providers, and a prominent long-term care advocacy group wants...
Nursing home residents are allowed to designate organizations as authorized representatives for Medicaid...
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 16, 2013
In the final rule, CMS confirmed that organizations may serve as representatives, specifically citing the needs of nursing home residents who do not have family available for assistance. The rule also...
Taking care of Medicare and Medicaid’s dual-eligibles: A job for Super- , er, Ombudsman
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 16, 2013
Giving long-term care stakeholders a reason to cheer, California recently requested a federal waiver to implement Cal MedConnect, a demonstration project meant to improve care coordination for people who...
Judge knocks $4 million off nursing home penalty, cites ‘inflammatory’ evidence
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 15, 2013
A jury that awarded $5.2 million to the plaintiffs in a nursing home negligence case was swayed by inflammatory evidence and testimony, according to Faulkner County Circuit Court Judge Mike Maggio, who...
The Affordable Care Act’s employer-provided health insurance mandate is Constitutional, according to a July 11 federal appeals court ruling. The Obama administration recently announced the employer...
Government report describes bungled manual review process for therapy claims
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 12, 2013
There was no timely guidance for therapy contractors from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office. That resulted in a struggle...
CDC: Low flu, pneumonia vaccination rates blemish a good picture of seniors’ health
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 11, 2013
Seniors in the United States are meeting most health targets, but many are still not being vaccinated for the potentially fatal conditions of influenza and pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease...