Federal regulators have expanded the use of escrow accounts so that as of this month, providers will be subject to their use for any kind of deficiency from a standard or complaint survey that draws a...
Ask the legal expert … about leave-of-absence mistakes
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2013
How can we avoid some of the most common leave-of-absence mistakes administrators/owners make?
Meds in a cupcake
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 01, 2013
If you’re weary of pursuing constant improvement and innovation in long-term care, take inspiration from Burger King.
Expanded meal deliveries could reduce nursing home admissions, but cost benefits vary by state, researchers...
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 09, 2013
Modest expansions of meal delivery programs could reduce the number of Medicaid beneficiaries in nursing homes, but such a plan would not be cost-effective in every state, according to newly published...
Study challenges basic assumptions about C. diff transmission
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 27, 2013
A new study contradicts widely held assumptions about how Clostridium difficile infection occurs, which may lead long-term care providers to step up control measures.
Revised guidelines increase flexibility for additional document request submissions
By
Elizabeth Newman
Sep 26, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has decided to ease guidelines concerning auditors’ requests for additional documentation. CMS is giving providers a small break by saying auditors should...
CMS releases new RAI Manual
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 26, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued the latest version of the Minimum Data Set 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument User’s Manual, which takes effect Oct. 1. Although CMS posted...
Growth in nursing care expenditures to rise along with national healthcare spending patterns, analysis...
Sep 18, 2013
National health expenditures on nursing care facilities and continuing care retirement communities are expected to increase by nearly 70% in the next nine years, according to a Health Affairs analysis...
Government issues model HIPAA privacy notices for providers to give patients
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 17, 2013
Long-term care providers can now utilize three new models of Notice of Privacy Practices documents to maintain Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance, two government agencies have...
AHCA announces legislative priorities and $1 million ad buy
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 11, 2013
The nation’s largest long-term care provider association will advocate for site-neutral payments and other policies in a concerted effort to prevent further reductions in reimbursement, the American...