Doctor admits kickback role in sending homeless people to nursing homes, hospitals
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 16, 2013
A California physician received kickbacks from skilled nursing facilities as part of a large-scale scheme to defraud government health programs, authorities announced Friday. Ovid Mercene, M.D., pleaded...
Improved nurse retention begins with smart hiring practices, expert says
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 16, 2013
The turnover rate for long-term care nurses is far higher than the national average, but facilities can improve retention by adjusting human resources practices, a top workforce researcher said in a McKnight’s...
First-ever CDC report: Nursing homes provide most long-term care nationwide, alternative settings gain...
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 13, 2013
Nursing homes still account for the vast majority of long-term care services available in the United States despite policies meant to encourage home- and community-based care, according to a new government...
MedPAC renews call for long-term care payment cuts, draws fire from providers
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 13, 2013
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has recommended a 4% reduction in skilled nursing facility payments in 2016, prompting an outcry from providers.
Senators advance bill to repeal Medicare outpatient therapy caps, physician payment formula
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 13, 2013
The Senate Finance Committee has advanced a bill that would repeal the Medicare Part B cap on therapy reimbursements and replace it with a new outpatient therapy payment system.
Long-term care leaders support passage of budget deal
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 12, 2013
Prominent long-term care provider associations registered support for a bipartisan budget deal being considered by Congress this week, despite the fact that it would extend a period of reduced Medicare...
Woman with dementia, comatose nursing home resident shot in possible ‘mercy killings’
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 12, 2013
Police arrested a man in connection with the shooting deaths of his wife, who had dementia, and his sister, who was in a coma at a nursing home, authorities in Los Angeles announced Wednesday.
CMS tightens procedures, oversight for hospice medication claims
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 12, 2013
In light of widespread inappropriate claims, providers will face heightened scrutiny for Medicare claims for hospice medications, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services stated in a letter this week.
Ryan, Murray strike budget deal that would extend Medicare sequestration cuts
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 11, 2013
Top House and Senate budget negotiators have carved out a deal that would end many parts of the across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration, but long-term care providers would face an additional...
Diet improvement is ‘stronger weapon than drugs’ in fight against dementia, docs tell UK...
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 11, 2013
An effort to change people’s diets would be more effective in preventing dementia than focusing on drug treatments, a multinational group of high-profile physicians said in a recent letter to U.K....