New hospice comparison tool uses government info, Washington Post calls for more transparency
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 28, 2014
In the absence of a hospice consumer guide from the government, The Washington Post has created one using available Medicare data. The newspaper unveiled the quality tool Sunday, in an article criticizing...
Judge approves $38 million settlement in ManorCare case
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 27, 2014
HCR ManorCare will pay $38 million under a legal settlement recently approved by a judge in West Virginia. The award to plaintiffs was originally $91 million until the state Supreme Court reduced it in...
Expert says providers often wrongly threatened by PEPPER reports
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 21, 2014
Instead of fearing further scrutiny by federal authorities, providers should embrace the opportunity to get feedback in the form of PEPPER reports, legal experts said Monday at the LeadingAge annual meeting...
Healthcare reform already driving diverse, dynamic long-term care models, LeadingAge leaders say
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 21, 2014
One way to gauge the effects is healthcare reform is by looking at ongoing changes to the continuing care retirement community model, LeadingAge officials said Monday at the association’s annual...
Also in the news for Oct. 16, 2014 . . .
Oct 16, 2014
HIPAA authorization forms do not have be signed voluntarily to be valid, judge rules … Aluminum exposure ‘inevitably’ contributes to Alzheimer’s, researcher says … Judge holds...
Briggs Healthcare to partner with CareVoyant
Oct 14, 2014
Briggs Healthcare has a partnership with CareVoyant, a software solution for home care, long-term care and outpatient facilities.
Kindred Healthcare has succeeded in its quest to acquire Gentiva Health Services. The companies announced Thursday morning they would combine to create the fourth-biggest healthcare provider of any type...
Providers should expect ‘disruption’ but are ready for Five Star changes, Parkinson says
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 10, 2014
Coming changes to the Five Star rating system for nursing homes will “cause some disruption,” but many long-term care providers already are on track, according to American Health Care Association/National...
Long-term care providers applaud signing of IMPACT Act, prepare for new Five Star elements
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 07, 2014
On the heels of victories such as the newly signed IMPACT Act, providers are ready to more aggressively push for their interests on Capitol Hill, leaders of the nation’s largest long-term care trade...
Heart research leads to new unexpected wound therapy
By
Brett Bakshis
Oct 01, 2014
Scientists researching electrical signals that regulate heartbeats have stumbled across a new, highly effective treatment for venous leg ulcers. The team from Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute...