SNF Medicare Part A appeals increase, success rate holds steady: OIG report
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 07, 2013
Skilled nursing facilities have been filing more appeals related to Medicare Part A claim determinations since 2008, and the proportion of successful appeals has remained largely steady, according to a...
Shutdown update: DC cuts off Medicaid payments, CMS confirms limited surveys
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 07, 2013
In a blow to Medicaid-certified long-term care providers in the nation’s capital, officials announced the District of Columbia would not make Medicaid payments during the federal government shutdown.
Norovirus vaccine proves effective in human tests, researchers say
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 07, 2013
Clinical tests indicate that a potential norovirus vaccine is highly effective in reducing symptoms of the infection, researchers have announced.
CMS: Medicare will not cover PET scans for Alzheimer’s
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 04, 2013
Seniors will not be able to receive Medicare coverage for imaging scans to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced.
Fecal matter pills cure C. diff, physician says
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 04, 2013
Pills created from fecal matter are the latest breakthrough in treating Clostridium difficile, according to a doctor in Canada who says he has cured about 30 people this way.
Providers can cheer widespread quality improvement, but infection control poses a challenge: AHCA report
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 03, 2013
More long-term care facilities are earning top marks in national quality ratings, but providers may need increased focus on infection control, according to the American Health Care Association’s...
Brookdale Senior Living sues PharMerica over drug prices
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 03, 2013
Brookdale Senior Living has sued PharMerica, charging that the long-term care pharmacy improperly changed its drug pricing for Brookdale facilities.
Front Porch Center fosters ‘puppy love,’ wins top honors in McKnight’s Excellence in...
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 02, 2013
Biscuit is not a real puppy, but the animatronic dog provides very real benefits for memory care residents of the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing. The nonprofit has achieved such success...
Video shows resident left to ‘smolder’ after catching fire, family charges facility for poor...
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 02, 2013
A Chicago nursing and rehabilitation center did not respond adequately when a resident caught on fire while smoking, leading to his death, the man’s family has charged.
Long-term statin use reduces dementia risk by 30%, researchers discover
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 02, 2013
Statins, which are commonly used to treat high cholesterol, do not cause cognition problems in the short term and may offer significant protection against dementia in the long term. This is according to...