Lawmakers demand answers about rating system quirks
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2014
After The New York Times noted that providers are apparently gaming the Five Star rating system by enhancing staffing and quality data, federal lawmakers quickly put an indignant pen to paper.
CMS to offer more detailed nursing home data, memo states
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 02, 2013
Users of the Nursing Home Compare website will soon be able to access and download more detailed data, including newly available information about inspections, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
CMS: Nurse shortage means hospices can keep using contracted workers
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 08, 2014
Hospices can continue to rely on contract nurses because an ongoing nurse shortage is preventing providers from meeting their staffing needs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in a...
Watchdog says not enough nursing homes including emerging infectious diseases in emergency plans
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 01, 2022
A federal watchdog agency has called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to update regulations and “make clear” that nursing homes must include emerging infectious diseases as a risk in...
Clinical Briefs for Monday, August 17
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2020
Omnicare layoffs fuel speculation about possible CVS marketplace exit … CMS ‘deeply concerned’: COVID-19 cases in nursing homes escalate nationally … U.S. counties with more Black residents...
Top 5 news stories reveal varied interests among long-term care professionals
By
John O'Connor
Jan 03, 2014
What do neck abnormalities, dangerous bacteria, a murder-suicide, a defensive nursing home chain, and antipsychotic guidelines have in common? These five developments were voted the most popular news stories...
Why are more RAC audits happening? There are trillions of reasons
By
John O'Connor
Sep 10, 2012
Recovery audit contractors are stepping up their efforts to review Medicare billings. This appears to be a classic case of auditors gone wild.
Feds looking to QAPI, not penalties, for help
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 01, 2014
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials said they consider the upcoming Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement guidelines, not harsher penalties, as the better way to reduce adverse events...
CMS nursing home guidance focuses on resident quality of life, environment and choice
Jun 22, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday issued new guidance for nursing home surveyors emphasizing the importance of resident quality of life and homelike environments.
States ultimately will opt into Medicaid expansion: CMS official
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 31, 2012
All states will eventually participate in the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion once governors weigh its costs against its benefits, a top Medicaid official predicted Monday.