Lack of data causes doctors to steer patients to unnecessary post-acute care, experts say
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 28, 2013
Without solid research about how discharged hospital patients fare in various post-acute settings, cautious doctors are ordering more intensive and expensive care than is needed, according to medical experts...
Nine tips for becoming a home or alternate site infusion pharmacy
By
Rob Cannon
Sep 25, 2013
As healthcare reform is implemented, a heightened emphasis on cost-containment is putting pressure on all healthcare providers. As hospitals determine how to reduce readmission rates and shift care to...
Bill would increase dental services in nursing homes
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 20, 2013
A bill introduced in both houses of Congress seeks to expand Medicare coverage for dental services and provide more oral care in long-term care facilities.
Minnesota nursing homes have lowest rate of hospitalizations, Mississippi and Louisiana the highest,...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 20, 2013
The rate at which nursing home residents are hospitalized bears a close relationship to how well a state provides healthcare for low-income people, according to a new report from the private research foundation...
Not angry about the LTC Commission’s report? You should be
By
John O'Connor
Sep 20, 2013
It’s hard to comment on the Commission on Long-Term Care’s just-submitted report without getting hacked off. Really, really hacked off. To call it a fool’s errand would be to insult misdirected...
LTC Commission wins praise for recommendations, but some members say the group failed to complete mission
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 16, 2013
Long-term care advocates have praised a set of recommendations issued by the Congressional Commission on Long-Term Care, but some commissioners broke ranks, saying the panel did not fulfill its mandate.
Nursing homes beneficial for Medicare program, researchers find
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2013
Nursing homes often decrease residents’ need for services covered under Medicare, according to new research published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The results reinforce the idea...
Post-acute care largely explains geographic differences in Medicare spending, report affirms
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 29, 2013
Geographic variances in post-acute care largely account for differences in Medicare spending patterns, supporting healthcare reform measures that encourage better acute and post-acute coordination, according...
Medicare ‘doc fix’ clears hurdle in the House, but providers still have questions
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 24, 2013
A House of Representatives subcommittee has approved legislation reforming physician payments through Medicare. The bill passed out of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on health by voice vote on Tuesday,...
Psychiatry company settles Medicare fraud allegations for $1 million
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jul 22, 2013
A New York company that provided psychiatry services to nursing home residents with dementia has settled a whistleblower Medicare fraud case for $1 million.