Hospital, nursing home information sharing to become ‘routine,’ government agencies say
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 09, 2013
As sharing of electronic health information becomes standard across all care settings, using technology may become a prerequisite for providers to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, according...
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently finalized 2014 Medicare rate updates for hospices and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and also laid out quality metrics. Hospices will receive...
CMS needs to get nursing home staffing information directly from payroll systems, Congressional leaders...
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 27, 2014
Federal regulators should start collecting nursing home staffing information directly from payroll systems as soon as possible, members of the Congressional Seniors Task Force said in a letter to a top...
Overdocumentation and cloning in electronic health records are overlooked risks, investigators say
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 09, 2014
Auditors reviewing Medicare and Medicaid claims from electronic health records are largely treating them in the same manner as paper claims, even though they pose unique risks for overbilling and fraud,...
40 states plan to increase nursing home Medicaid rates
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 16, 2014
Reversing a trend of rate cutting during the Great Recession, most states are increasing Medicaid reimbursements for nursing homes, according to a recently released report. However, states also are accelerating...
Code status ‘cheat sheet’ draws scrutiny, nursing home challenges neglect finding
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 12, 2014
A “cheat sheet” to track residents’ code status has become a source of controversy in the case of a Minnesota man who died without being given CPR, according to local news sources.
Lack of information prevents long-term care planning even for those with high incomes, SCAN report finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 16, 2013
Americans who are earning high incomes often do not plan sufficiently for their long-term care needs, according to a new report from the SCAN Foundation and Langer Research Associates.
ACO patients report higher satisfaction, better care coordination
By
Tim Mullaney
Nov 03, 2014
Seniors are more satisfied with their healthcare and believe it is more coordinated if their providers are part of an Accountable Care Organization, according to first-of-its-kind research from the Harvard...
New guidance on healthcare apparel aims to limit infections
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 22, 2014
Long-term care facilities may want to evaluate their staff attire in light of new guidance on the best types of clothing to prevent infections in healthcare settings.
Residents have refused meds, tried to flee secure unit since talking to surveyor, nursing home charges
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 05, 2014
An Ohio nursing home has been trying to care for residents who became defiant after speaking with a state inspector, according to legal charges reported Monday by Courthouse News Service.