New Medicare scorecard compares state efforts, but still lacks detail … GAO: Soon-to-expand private program for VA patients has left them waiting months for care … Most Florida nursing homes...
Congress mulls Medicaid-Medicare pay parity, and end of ‘doc fixes’
By
John Hall
Mar 16, 2015
Long-term care providers are closely monitoring two major lawmaking efforts in Washington this week that have both chambers of Congress debating a plan to end annual Medicare cuts and abolish painful “fixes”...
Report: Medicaid long-term care spending to skyrocket over next 20 years
Oct 02, 2008
Many consumers are ill-informed about Medicare and Medicaid’s role in long-term care, and greater planning could help reduce the danger of soaring Medicaid costs, according to a new report from America’s...
Letter asks House chairmen to remove proposed skilled nursing cuts from healthcare reform bill
Jul 09, 2009
A draft of House healthcare reform legislation is set to slice $44.9 billion in nursing home funding over the next decade, according to a group of senior care advocates. The coalition sent a letter to...
Accountable care organizations might cut costs, but challenges remain
Apr 25, 2011
A new report suggests that accountable care organizations can lead to better health for beneficiaries and lower costs for healthcare participants.
‘Observation status’ provision under further review
By
John Hall
Feb 27, 2015
The American Health Care Association on Thursday applauded a House measure that would inform Medicare beneficiaries of their observation status as hospital inpatient or outpatients. But that might be little...
Also in the news for Monday, February 9
Feb 09, 2015
Regulators OK lung cancer screening for Medicare beneficiaries … Anthem hackers suspected to have accessed personal information, including Social Security numbers …15% of meaningful use Stage...
New Web tool allows some nursing homes to compare themselves with peers
Oct 09, 2008
The American Health Care Association introduced a new Web-based tool this week that offers a way for member organizations to compare themselves with their peers.
Government plan calls for increased surveillance, prosecution to combat elder abuse
By
Stephanie H. Kim
Jul 10, 2014
Elder abuse is inflicted upon many of the more than 2 million Americans in long-term care settings, and more oversight is needed, according to a government report published Wednesday.
Computer problems delaying new MDS 3.0 timeline, regulators say
Apr 17, 2009
Providers worried about last week’s abrupt posting and withdrawal of a MDS 3.0 form timeline can rest easy, federal regulators assured Thursday during an Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long-Term Care...