Judson Park has become a part of the Rainier Health Networks Continuing Care Network and has partnered with Franciscan Health Systems and Northwest Physicians Network to deliver a contractual and collaborative...
Hatch: Doc fix is a ‘must pass’
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 21, 2015
Fixing Medicare’s broken physician payment system is a “must pass” order of business, a key Senate leader said on Tuesday.
Congressional advisors waver on eliminating observation stays
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 21, 2015
Getting rid of hospital observation stays might not be a good idea after all, according to Medicare Payment Advisory Commission members who previously pushed for the change. Even if observation status...
Skilled nursing reimbursement has become worse, MedPAC report states
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 14, 2015
Years of Medicare reforms actually have worsened the way skilled nursing providers are reimbursed, and more sweeping changes are needed urgently, according to a new report from the Medicare Payment Advisory...
AHCA launches campaign for Sustainable Growth Rate reforms
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 12, 2015
Today marks the launch of a comprehensive new effort from the nation’s largest long-term care provider association, aimed at encouraging constructive reforms of Medicare’s Sustainable Growth...
Insulin spray leads to significant benefits for those with dementia, study finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 09, 2015
Taking a man-made form of insulin improved memory and cognition in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, according to recently published findings.
New skin patch helps keep diabetic foot ulcers at bay
By
Amy Novotney
Jan 01, 2015
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a drug delivered through a skin patch that not only helps diabetic foot ulcers heal faster, but prevents the wounds from recurring.
LTC liability costs projected to increase by 5% nationally
By
John O'Connor
Jan 01, 2015
Long-term care providers should prepare for higher liability costs. They are anticipated to increase by 5% on a national basis in 2015, according to a new analysis from the American Health Care Association/National...
State News for January 2015
Jan 01, 2015
NEW JERSEY — Lawmakers here will soon debate the merits of a bill that would require the state to pay facilities up to half of the money owed for uncompensated care for residents whose Medicaid applications...
Bill would speed up post-acute coverage
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 01, 2015
Observation stays would count toward establishing Medicare eligibility under reforms in a recent draft bill from the House Committee on Ways and Means.