House bill proposes safe harbor from medical malpractice litigation, could remove LTC liability actions...
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 03, 2014
A bill in the House of Representatives would create a safe harbor system to reduce malpractice lawsuits against Medicare and Medicaid providers, and it would give providers the right to request state-level...
Omnicare reaches $4 million settlement over charges of receiving kickbacks for putting SNF residents...
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 03, 2014
Omnicare, the nation’s largest long-term care pharmacy, has reached a $4 million settlement agreement over allegations that the company conspired with a pharmaceutical company to switch nursing home...
Almost 60% of diabetic nursing home residents with chronic kidney disease are on a potentially problematic...
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 03, 2014
Nursing home residents who have diabetes and chronic kidney disease are commonly given medications that are not in keeping with best practice guidelines or prescribing information, according to recently...
Diabetes is the No. 1 co-morbid condition linked to nursing home pressure ulcers, analysis finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 03, 2014
Diabetes is the co-morbid condition most strongly associated with the development of pressure ulcers in nursing home residents, according to a new analysis of existing research.
Doctors warn against Aricept for dementia care, supplements for weight control in second annual ‘Choosing...
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 28, 2014
Clinicians should prescribe cholinesterase inhibitors very cautiously and suspend use if dementia symptoms aren’t reduced within 12 weeks, according to new “Choosing Wisely” recommendations...
With ICD-10 transition date firm and testing imminent, Medicare agency releases new provider resources
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 28, 2014
Long-term care providers can refer to newly released materials about looming ICD-10 testing and the overall transition to the new coding system, but they should not expect any delay in the Oct. 1 transition...
Federal authorities are investigating Emeritus’ Medicaid billings, ProPublica reports
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 28, 2014
Federal investigators have been looking into Medicaid billing practices at senior living giant Emeritus Corp. for more than a year. Investigative journalism outlet ProPublica first reported the story Thursday,...
Many families will spend modestly for dementia care, a minority face financial ruin, expert tells senators
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 27, 2014
Devastating out-of-pocket costs for long-term dementia care are likely to hit a relatively small proportion of families in the coming years, but many families will experience minor costs, an expert told...
US News rankings: Large metros earn high marks for nursing home quality, but Houston is a laggard
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 27, 2014
Of the nation’s five most populous metropolitan areas, Houston has by far the fewest top quality nursing homes, according to new rankings released by U.S. News and World Report.
Catholic long-term care provider claims free speech violations in its full appeal against Affordable...
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 26, 2014
A Catholic long-term care provider is claiming freedom of speech and religious freedom violations in a much-anticipated legal appeal over the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate.