Certain brand name meds drive up Part D prices, CMS finds
By
John Hall
May 04, 2015
A popular acid reflux medication was the costliest drug paid for by Medicare Part D in 2013, while a blood pressure medication was the most frequently prescribed, according to a new report on prescription...
How to do it… A less painful tech transition
By
John Hall
Mar 08, 2018
Mobile technology, coupled with a plethora of “apps,” is creating amazing opportunities for long-term care residents to connect with the outside world. Getting residents to embrace newer technology,...
Major Brookdale investor ratchets up fight for change, seats on board
By
John Hall
Mar 17, 2015
Sandell Asset Management vowed Monday to take its shakeup demands directly to Brookdale Senior Living shareholders, announcing its nomination of three replacements for Brookdale board members whose posts...
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...
Winners in doubt
By
John Hall
Dec 06, 2016
No rest for weary providers in the battle to beat germs in long-term care settings
Assisted living residents with dementia receiving too many antipsychotics, GAO says
By
John Hall
Mar 03, 2015
Government investigators are calling for greater scrutiny of antipsychotics use among dementia patients in post-acute settings beyond nursing homes.
Medicare bill would boost transitions to long-term care, other settings
By
John Hall
Jun 02, 2014
Federal lawmakers have introduced a bill designed to improve coordination of care and services for Medicare beneficiaries as they move from one setting to another.
PharMerica settles whistleblower complaint for $31.5 million
By
John Hall
May 19, 2015
National pharmacy services provider PharMerica said it has entered into separate agreements with the government and revised its controlled substances dispensing policies following a whistleblower lawsuit...
CMS actuary throws cold water on ‘doc fix’ bill projections
By
John Hall
Apr 12, 2015
Long-term care leaders who have widely endorsed a House proposal to permanently “fix” the Sustainable Growth Rate formula, might be suffering buyer’s remorse after learning Friday that...
Nurses, assistants most injury prone in healthcare: CDC
By
John Hall
Apr 30, 2015
Healthcare jobs have long been among the riskiest, most dangerous and injury-prone occupations around. Nurses and nurse assistants are the unluckiest among them, according to a new report from the Centers...