CMS chief: Providers should expect new set of quality measures, more sophisticated enforcement strategies
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 30, 2019
In a fiery speech Tuesday, the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services top official issued a “call to action” to providers and said the healthcare industry’s status quo is no longer...
Nursing home accused of using ‘sham medical director’ to fuel kickback scheme
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 30, 2019
A Florida nursing home and its affiliates must pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations of using a “sham medical director” to defraud the government, officials announced Monday.
‘Special’ little girl raises $50,000 and counting for nursing homes, drawing national attention
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 30, 2019
An amazing Arkansas 11-year-old has raised more than $50,000 and counting to help the state’s nursing home residents and is drawing a national spotlight for her sweetness.
‘An invisible tsunami’ — Medicare, Medicaid funding predictions may be too low, report asserts
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 28, 2019
Members of Congress are worried funding projections for two of nursing homes’ biggest payer sources may be too low, after failing to account for the changing lifestyles of baby boomers.
Nursing home on the hook for C. diff infection death, court rules
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 25, 2019
A Massachusetts nursing home must face a medical malpractice suit for allegedly failing to diagnose one of its resident’s bacterial infections leading to his death, an appeals court ruled recently.
Venue-shopping law change could lead to ‘skyrocketing’ liability claims, SNF experts warn
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 24, 2019
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is exploring whether to allow plaintiffs’ attorneys to “venue shop” for the court with the highest payout. Such a move has healthcare advocates worried about the possibility...
Former hospital director, physician’s assistant plead guilty in $1 billion Esformes fraud case
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 24, 2019
Two major players in a billion-dollar nursing home-related fraud case have pled guilty and could face years in prison.
High Court hears nursing home free-speech case stemming from dispute with Wilkes and McHugh law firm
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 23, 2019
The Georgia Supreme Court was set to hear arguments Tuesday on whether a law firm’s allegedly misleading ads about three nursing homes are protected by freedom of speech provisions.
Healthcare workers would be protected from violating conscience-based principles under new rule
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 23, 2019
The federal government is reportedly in the final throes of finishing a new rule that would punish providers or state agencies that force workers to perform duties violating their personal principles.
CMS announces new ‘innovations’ to Medicare Advantage plans
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 22, 2019
The federal government announced a broad array of changes to Medicare Advantage plans last week in hopes it will further pressure providers to up their game in caring for seniors.