“I have a bone to pick with you,” proclaimed the indignant voice on the other line. In my experience, conversations that begin with that invitation seldom go well.
Price says the right things on Medicare, Medicaid
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 27, 2017
It would be unwise to assume that Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), the likely new head of Health and Human Services, is always going to align with the values of long-term care providers. But in the midst of a whirlwind...
Former CMS head has new job: keeping Obamacare alive
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 25, 2017
Former Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services leader Andy Slavitt burst out of the back room to state his intention to keep Obamacare alive. Bold words from a man not particularly known for bold actions.
Your FitBit might just save your life — and your residents’
By
Jan 24, 2017
Even though I fell off the wearable fitness monitor bandwagon, recent research from the Stanford University School of Medicine might just serve as the incentive I need to jump back on it.
MedPAC’s message to nursing homes: No soup for you!
By
John O'Connor
Jan 23, 2017
Whenever MedPAC releases payment recommendations affecting skilled care, I’m reminded of the Soup Nazi.
A sensible approach to clearing the Medicare appeals backlog
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 20, 2017
While hospitals and long-term care providers often disagree, providers are united on the thorny topic of backlogs for Medicare appeals.
The heart of the matter with advanced directives and why you need to push more for them
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 19, 2017
In their most crass interpretation, advance directives can save the healthcare system a lot of money. At their most heartfelt, they can reduce a lot of pain and suffering. They also are the essence of...
Keep your goals for 2017 short and tweet
By
Jan 17, 2017
You could write out a long list of personal or work-related goals for 2017 to cover all your bases, but you run the risk of getting overwhelmed or focusing on some goals over others. Instead, take the...
Stretching out resolutions (emphasis on the stretching)
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 13, 2017
It was heartening to read about a study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine Researchers that found sessions of moderate exercise can be anti-inflammatory. That matters because...
With so many political changes to consider, keep your eyes on this
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 12, 2017
Judging recent national political events by any measure, one can come to a seemingly obvious conclusion: A lot of change is in the air. But what a lot of people aren’t talking about is this: The...