Psychologists ‘outraged’ over federal plan they say omits seniors
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 15, 2014
Mental healthcare providers for the elderly expressed anger Thursday over an apparent snub of seniors mental health services in a proposed new federal behavioral health plan.
Providers tell CMS it’s ‘decidedly’ the wrong time to toy with PDPM rates
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 03, 2021
Providers need more time before the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would implement any adjustments to PDPM payment rates, operators and associations have told the agency in official comments.
New federal initiatives increase criminal enforcement concerns for nursing homes
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 03, 2024
Already facing heightened regulatory pressure, skilled nursing operators could find themselves the subject of more criminal investigations in 2024 with the Biden administration ramping up efforts to investigate...
How often do health insurers say no to patients? No one knows.
By
Robin Fields/ProPublica
Jun 29, 2023
It’s one of the most crucial questions people have when deciding which health plan to choose: If my doctor orders a test or treatment, will my insurer refuse to pay for it?
Research advances understanding of universal flu vaccine, NIH says
Jul 20, 2010
Experiments involving mice, ferrets and monkeys may provide the key to a universal flu vaccine.
It was 1983 when Yvonne Eaddy joined VNS Health (then known as The Visiting Nurse Service of New York) as a public health nurse visiting the homes of both the elderly and children in need of a lifeline.
FDA advisers support full approval of Paxlovid for at-risk older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
The antiviral drug Paxlovid should receive full FDA approval to treat COVID-19 in older adults at risk of severe outcomes, the advisers decided in a Thursday vote.
Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers not ready for primary care use, expert panel decides
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2022
An international group of clinicians and researchers have agreed that Alzheimer’s disease blood biomarkers are a significant breakthrough, but are not yet ready for general clinical and primary care...
‘Not a shock:’ MedPAC considering 5% pay cut for SNFs
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 14, 2021
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is leaning toward recommending a 5% pay cut for skilled nursing facilities in fiscal 2021 after a new report found that Medicare margins may indicate SNF pay rates...
State providing staffing support in mandate’s wake, despite critical media reports
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 08, 2021
New York officials are “proactively working” with long-term care providers experiencing staffing shortages tied to the pandemic and the state’s new COVID-19 vaccination mandate, according to a top...