The functional status and behavior sections of the MDS 3.0 often lead to risk and liability dangers for providers, a long-term care coding expert said Sunday.
GOP health plan moves forward, moving seniors closer to higher insurance rates, lower access to healthcare,...
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 20, 2017
Seniors just shy of Medicare eligibility age could find their ability to pay for future long-term care services stymied due to projected rises in health insurance costs that would come under the House...
Upcoming ACO model to have positive post-acute impact, CMS official says
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 11, 2015
Long-term care providers now have another accountable care model to consider, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials announced Tuesday.
Tavenner unloads more answers on Medicaid expansion, IPAB
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 22, 2013
Marilyn Tavenner, the interim administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services who is vying to remove the “interim” label, met lawmaker questions head-on following her April 9...
CMS drops payment cut related to two-midnight rule
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 20, 2016
Faced with a legal challenge, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has killed a two-midnight inpatient payment cut to hospitals. The agency will not move forward with a 0.2% inpatient payment cut...
Catheters, infections and … you don’t want to know
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 06, 2012
Urinary catheters were on my radar twice last week. The first involved a late-night trip to the vet with an unhappy cat. The second, a political animal.
Kohl painkiller bill reappears in waning days of Senate term; AHCA voices objections
By
Elizabeth Newman
Dec 19, 2012
A bill meant to provide relief for nursing home residents who need painkillers would create the possibility of huge penalties for healthcare practitioners and long-term care facilities, a top lobbyist...
When the caregiving glass is half-empty
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 13, 2012
The prevailing wisdom in healthcare is that a family member’s inability to accept a loved one’s impending death or a dire prognosis relates to miscommunication. A new study turns this on its...
Providers prepare for potential tension on Congressional visits
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 21, 2017
A tense political environment in Washington, D.C., means long-term care providers headed to Capitol Hill need to be passionate but polite, executives said Monday.
Take a shot
By
Elizabeth Newman
Dec 11, 2012
I have two major deal-breakers for friends: If you have purchased a pet from a breeder, or if you are anti-vaccination, especially for your child, I am going to seriously re-evaluate the friendship.