Skilled nursing facilities could take major hits to their bottom lines unless a coordinator is on top of managed care contracts, a prominent healthcare consultant said last month at the American College...
CMS: Medicare rate will increase 2% in 2015, boosting skilled nursing facility reimbursements by $750...
By
Tim Mullaney
May 02, 2014
Medicare would increase skilled nursing facility reimbursements by $750 million in 2015 under an updated payment rate proposed Thursday. CMS also will begin tying reimbursements to new statistical area...
Fostering friendly skin bacteria could promote chronic wound healing, researchers say
By
Tim Mullaney
May 02, 2014
Caregivers might soon be able to heal seniors’ chronic wounds by manipulating the bacteria that live on the skin, according to research out of the University of Manchester Healing Foundation Centre...
CCRCs need to check residents’ health insurance plans twice a year, expert urges
By
Tim Mullaney
May 01, 2014
Continuing care retirement communities should ask residents about their health plans twice a year, to keep tabs on the increasing number of seniors being shifted into Medicare Advantage, an expert told...
People with dementia are 20% more likely to be rehospitalized, antipsychotic use increases risk, researchers...
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 30, 2014
Seniors are more likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days of discharge if they have dementia, and the risk increases if they are taking an antipsychotic medication, according to recently published research...
Current quality measures are unfair to providers serving economically disadvantaged populations, National...
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 30, 2014
Nursing homes and other healthcare providers face reduced reimbursements from government programs if they serve economically disadvantaged patients, according to a recent National Quality Forum report....
Jimmo implementation is troubled, long-term care expert says
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 30, 2014
Skilled nursing providers remain confused about Medicare changes related to the Jimmo v. Sebelius legal settlement, and many beneficiaries are not aware that their therapy might now be eligible for coverage,...
Strong professional relationships could reduce unnecessary hospitalizations from nursing homes, study...
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 29, 2014
Registered nurses need strong and collegial relationships with their counterparts at a hospital in order to confidently refer nursing home residents to the emergency department, according to findings recently...
Pharmacy owner pleads guilty to paying nursing homes for unused meds in $2 million scheme
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 29, 2014
A pharmacy owner in Louisiana bribed nursing home workers to return unused medications, then repackaged and resold them, according to allegations in a $2.2 million Medicare fraud case, state and federal...
Nursing home yoga therapy could reduce urinary incontinence in women, researchers suggest
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 29, 2014
A specially designed yoga regimen helped incontinent women reduce their urine leakage by up to 70%, researchers announced in a recent article in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery.