The American West was largely settled by pioneers in covered wagons. It looks like a couple hundred years later, the American healthcare landscape is going to be infiltrated by covered Pioneers. And this...
Playing fast and loose with Medicaid termination
By
Elizabeth Newman
May 04, 2015
There are many benefits to communicating to your cohorts in neighboring states, and not the least of it may be knowing when a provider is kicked out of Medicaid.
Residents and sex: It’s time to re-examine what’s appropriate
By
John O'Connor
Apr 30, 2015
It’s so easy to think of older people as being done with sex. And truth be told, many are. But as anyone who has spent time in a skilled care setting can attest, that’s hardly a one-size-fits-all...
Providers suffering Medicare appeals backlog — at their own hand?
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 29, 2015
If providers were charged a fee for challenging Recovery Audit Contractor findings, there wouldn’t be the current overwhelming backlog of Medicare appeals, says the administration — and, surprise,...
A good book’s unintended lesson and tears for a great friend
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 27, 2015
One of the best signs of a good book is its unplanned lessons. While its title might profess how to fix this or do better at that, a high-quality book also will lead the reader to enlightenment for reasons...
Maybe it’s time for ADAPT to adapt
By
John O'Connor
Apr 24, 2015
What kind of cruel, heartless person could openly criticize disabled people in wheelchairs? I guess that cruel, heartless person would have to be me.
Salary matters in long-term care
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 22, 2015
The University of Pittsburgh’s research involving certified nursing assistants and why they leave is among the most interesting I’ve seen recently in long-term care. Salary, it turns out, is...
Who cleans up after the ‘fix’ is in?
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 20, 2015
It will be interesting to see what happens when the guitars are put away and the strains of “Kumbaya” die down after last week’s ballyhooed passage of a new Medicare doctor payment rule.
Our government is a terrible thing — to hate (and a thank-you)
By
John O'Connor
Apr 17, 2015
Providers are finding their personal and professional relationships with the government tested these days. But before we all grab our torches and pitchforks, let’s take a deep breath.
Wristband holds hope for depressed patients
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 15, 2015
The verdict is still out on how practical or helpful some of new wristbands and other monitoring devices are among long-term care residents. But one new study indicates that a particular wristband may...