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”...
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...
Stuck in the middle, LTC pharmacies could be dangerously squeezed by drug price negotiations
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 01, 2023
Any lower drug prices that result from White House efforts to negotiate on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries may lead to short-term gains for nursing homes, but there also could be a steep price to pay...
‘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...
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.
CMS issues additional FAQs on Provider Relief Fund for Medicare providers
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 31, 2020
Providers should not offset their expenses on the Medicare Cost Report based on the relief fund payments they’ve received. That’s according to a newly released document from the Centers for Medicare...
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.