Cost of doing business about to rise for many providers
By
John O'Connor
Apr 21, 2014
It’s not quite in the dirty-little-secret category, but here it is: The nation’s recent economic downturn was good for the bottom line at many urban long-term care facilities. Change appears...
The boss at CMS has some nice things to say about regulations
By
John O'Connor
Jan 22, 2018
It appears there may be some good news ahead, courtesy of the boss at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Sequestration 2.0 likely to take another bite out of provider payments
By
John O'Connor
May 24, 2013
For many long-term care providers, dealing with funding cuts that began in March has amounted to making the best of a bad situation. Automatic sequestration cuts are trimming Medicare payments by 2%, while...
Nursing shortage relief from an unexpected source
By
John O'Connor
Oct 30, 2017
When it comes to skilled-care staffing, the future outlook is bleak. If it’s possible, the situation for nurses might be even worse. But at least a partial solution could be in the offing from a...
Want to make long-term care better? Think bigger.
By
John O'Connor
Feb 28, 2022
When it comes to improving long-term care, two threadbare options always seem to be first in line. Throw more money at the problem, one camp insists. Hold providers more accountable, claims the other....
Are you ready to flip the bird?
By
John O'Connor
Jul 19, 2021
It’s probably time for many providers to start to forego familiar habits to realize their full potential.
How would you like to spend some ‘quality time’ with CMS?
By
John O'Connor
Sep 24, 2018
First it was staffing data, could Uncle Sam be after providers for quality data next? One Senator might be after just that.
Sleeper measures could cut Medicare payments to skilled care operators
By
John O'Connor
Mar 31, 2014
As far as skilled care is concerned, most recent reporting on a major Medicare bill has all but overlooked what’s in the bill for the sector. And it’s not trivial.
More frivolous lawsuits ahead? You can bank on it
By
John O'Connor
May 09, 2016
Eldercare service providers would be well advised to watch proposed arbitration rules that have been aimed primarily at banks — for now.
Turning a challenge into an opportunity
By
John O'Connor
Jul 27, 2012
Many nursing home administrators are not sleeping well these days. If it’s any consolation, hospital administrators are probably catching even fewer winks.