Coalition of support building in favor of the RUSH Act
By
Timothy C. Peck
Jan 11, 2019
Every single day, thousands of elderly nursing home patients are subjected to disorienting and costly transfers to the Emergency Department for health challenges that could potentially be treated in place,...
The importance of a smoking policy
By
Betty Norman
Oct 25, 2012
Resident smoking polices mean much more than cleaner air at long-term care facilities. As recent incidents demonstrate, having effective policies for residents – and making sure they are followed...
A possible escape from the nursing home staffing mandate?
By
James M. Berklan
May 14, 2023
There may be a silver lining to the excruciating wait providers are enduring for the White House’s nursing home staffing mandate.
Congress should pass this provider-endorsed Medicare bill, and then go further
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 11, 2023
Despite today’s hyper-partisan divisions, there’s one nursing home-focused measure that should be a slam dunk among members of both major political parties.
Practical advice on reducing antipsychotics
By
Jerome Wilborn
May 08, 2015
Two CMS tags —F-Tag 329, which addresses unnecessarily using antipsychotic drugs, and F-Tag 309, which addresses taking steps to reduce antipsychotic drug use — are used by nursing home surveyors to...
Close the infection loop to reduce outbreak risk
May 12, 2014
The readmission scores of nursing homes will be posted to the Nursing Home Compare website beginning in 2017, and the VBP program will begin Oct. 1, 2018. For the first time, facilities will not just face...
In the year 2025, will population health finally be real?
By
Martie Moore
Feb 14, 2022
To make population health real, we must get real about what it will take to achieve the outcomes we all want.
Biden Medicare regulations favor hospitals over skilled nursing facilities
By
Lisa Grabert
Jun 02, 2021
On an annual basis, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updates various payment systems within the Traditional (fee-for-service) Medicare program. This regulatory season is more entertaining than...
Final rate notice signals continued pressure on Medicare Advantage payments
By
Jennifer Rak
Apr 21, 2014
CMS recently finalized Medicare Advantage plan payment rates for Calendar Year 2015 and announced other changes to payment and program policies for MA and Part D plans. Although the announcement included...
No more mandate extensions. Let’s roll.
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 02, 2022
What is the end game in asking for another mandate extensions? Delay, deny and deflect methods won’t protect vulnerable populations, nor maintain workforce.