Advocates resist call for Five Star ratings change for dual-eligibles
By
John Hall
Apr 02, 2015
A major beneficiary advocate is pushing back on a new study recommending Medicare Advantage rates be adjusted for dual-eligible patients because so many tend to have poorer outcomes than others.
Assisted living residents’ nude calendar needs second printing
By
John Hall
Mar 31, 2015
Nearly four months into the year, a 2015 calendar sporting nude photographs of the residents of Pleasant Pointe Assisted Living in Akron, OH, are still flying out the door — so much so that a second...
Coroner rules odd nursing home death accidental; state findings yet to be released
By
John Hall
Mar 26, 2015
The coroner of St. Clair County, where an 85-year-old resident of a suburban St. Louis nursing home was found dead, strapped to her wheelchair at the bottom of some stairs, ruled Wednesday the death was...
FDA approves ‘breakthrough’ therapy for diabetic eye disorder
By
John Hall
Mar 26, 2015
The FDA announced Wednesday that it has granted “breakthrough therapy designation” to the drug Eylea, and expanded its approved use for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy in patients with...
Government urges Highest Court to pass on nonprofit contraceptive mandate argument
By
John Hall
Mar 26, 2015
Government attorneys are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to not take up the issue of contraception mandates of the Affordable Care Act. A U.S. Court of Appeals has denied a Catholic coalition’s effort...
Medicare providers could face up to 100% late tax penalties
By
John Hall
Mar 25, 2015
Praise for Congress for proposing a bill that would reset Medicare physician pay rates could be a little less hearty, after details emerged Tuesday that the measure would also include penalties as high...
Bill would credit observation stays toward ‘three-night rule’
By
John Hall
Mar 24, 2015
A bill introduced in Congress on Monday would count all time that Medicare beneficiaries spend under hospital “observation” status toward the three-day inpatient requirement necessary to receive...
Caregivers may be focusing on ‘futile’ measures: Brown study
By
John Hall
Mar 23, 2015
New research concludes that nursing home caregivers well-versed in palliative care tend to focus less on possibly futile “aggressive” life-saving measures.
Congress gets tough on EHR interoperability
By
John Hall
Mar 23, 2015
Providers using incompatible or uncertified electronic health record systems by the end of 2018 could face reduced Medicare reimbursements under a bill introduced Thursday in both houses of Congress.
Joint HHS, Justice efforts recoup $28 billion in Medicare payments
By
John Hall
Mar 19, 2015
The Justice Department announced on Thursday it had captured $3.3 billion from healthcare fraud prosecutions and other deals in 2014, bringing to nearly $28 billion the total amount it has recouped since...