News Analysis: More needed on Medicare drug benefit
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 04, 2005
As time runs shorter, providers say the final CMS rule leaves a lot
to the imagination.
With all the day-to-day hassles of running a nursing home, most operators don’t have the opportunity to worry...
CMS call takes listeners back in time for MDS compliance but offers nothing new on staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services invited the nation’s nursing home stakeholders to a conference call Thursday but played its cards close to the vest regarding its pending release of a first-ever...
Providers grateful for certain opportunities in proposed 2025 Medicare pay rule
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 02, 2024
Even though debate will continue about how much Medicare reimbursement should rise next year, there’s little disagreement that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services got at least a few things right...
Reach of AI, other tech will help SNFs reach seniors looking to avoid nursing homes: expert
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 03, 2023
The future will bring an ongoing tug away from skilled nursing, led by rising tech in senior living and home care, an expert warned Thursday.
‘Vision’ translates into skilled nursing action at landmark conference
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 22, 2022
CHICAGO — Skilled nursing and other aging services leaders made a big jump forward Tuesday with the unveiling of the Vision Centre: Leadership Development for Aging Services initiative.
Parkinson: We’ll know effects of PDPM 5 to 6 weeks in, also cautions investors
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 11, 2019
The leader of the largest nursing home association in the country said Monday that it should take about six weeks to develop a clear understanding of the ramifications of a drastically overhauled Medicare...
Profile — One cool customer: Sen. Herbert H. Kohl, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aging
By
James M. Berklan
May 09, 2007
Leaders of the Senate Special Committee on Aging have been known to bring havoc and pain to nursing home operators. They call hearings on touchy subjects, grandstand and seek their next rung on a career...
Providers’ best chances in federal budget talks lie with funding for infection prevention, staffing:...
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 13, 2021
OXON HILL, MD — Long-term care interests are clearly down the priority line in federal budget negotiators, one of the industry’s top lobbyists noted Tuesday, but several key topics also have earned...
CMS surprises with therapy pay levels in 2022 Medicare physician fee rule
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 14, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services pleasantly surprised long-term care therapy providers with several parts of the new 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule that it released Tuesday.
Profile —Architect of change: Mary Jane Koren, M.D., Vice President, The Commonwealth Fund
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 06, 2007
Mary Jane Koren has always taken pride in being creative. Inventiveness has driven everything she’s done, who she’s worked with and what causes she has advanced. But there is no question what...