Minnix: CMS administrator vacancy delaying possible Five-Star rating system changes
Apr 22, 2009
The absence of a chief at the helm of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may be stymieing providers’ attempts to persuade federal regulators to modify the new Five-Star Quality Rating System...
Computer problems delaying new MDS 3.0 timeline, regulators say
Apr 17, 2009
Providers worried about last week’s abrupt posting and withdrawal of a MDS 3.0 form timeline can rest easy, federal regulators assured Thursday during an Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long-Term Care...
Long-term care organizations praise CMS post-acute pilot project
Apr 15, 2009
Many in the long-term care community are supporting the Care Transitions Project, a government initiative to improve healthcare processes and minimize rehospitalizations.
CMS: No changes imminent to staffing formula for Five-Star rating
Mar 10, 2009
Federal health officials with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services say they are considering tweaking their new Five-Star nursing home ranking system, but altering the way staffing is graded will...
Study debunks long-term care Medicaid ‘myth,’ researchers say
Mar 10, 2009
More individuals are willing to pay privately for long-term care services than previously thought, authors of a new study assert. The result offers both more hope for nursing home providers and a realization...
Regulators delaying new MDS 3.0 nursing home payment system to ‘minimize confusion’
Mar 06, 2009
Federal healthcare regulators on Thursday announced a sweeping round of delays for an updated tool to enhance the nursing home payment system. The rollout of MDS 3.0 is now targeted for October 2010 and...
CMS to delay MDS 3.0 because of worries over system updates
Mar 05, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is planning to delay the implementation of Minimum Data Set 3.0 for one year because of concerns that there is not enough time to adequately prepare systems...
Sebelius gets HHS nod, DeParle tabbed to become health czar
Mar 03, 2009
President Obama officially nominated Kathleen Sebelius, the democratic governor of Kansas, for the job of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Monday. Sebelius had been considered...
Funding issues hit the spotlight as nursing home advocates gear up for Aging Committee hearing
Mar 03, 2009
The Senate Special Committee on Aging will convene tomorrow to discuss the inclusion of improvements to long-term care as part of overarching national healthcare reform.
McKnight’s Online Expo to offer continuing education credits
Feb 24, 2009
The American Health Care Association and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care Monday reiterated the importance of reforming the long-term care payment system. McKnight’s’ readers can...