CMS boosts payments, incentives for dialysis centers
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 03, 2012
Medicare payments to providers that offer outpatient maintenance dialysis treatments will increase 2.5% in calendar year 2013, regulators said.
Staffing for Success
Jul 02, 2012
Studies consistently show a strong correlation between nursing home staffing levels and resident outcomes. Unfortunately, many operators struggle to provide adequate staffing, and their overall quality...
Formal, written policies can help long-term care facilities avoid healthcare-associated infections, experts...
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 21, 2012
Long-term care organizations must practice diligent adherence to hand hygiene regimens and establish clear, written protocols for containing and preventing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), experts...
Letter: Provider group accuses CMS of using Medicare audits for ‘stealth policymaking’ purposes
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 20, 2012
A provider group is taking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to task for improperly using Medicare audits as a means of curtailing high-intensity therapy in skilled nursing facilities.
Lonely elders at increased risk for physical decline, death, study finds
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 19, 2012
Seniors who self-identify as being lonely are at a higher risk for physical decline, death and admission to a nursing home, new research suggests.
Medicaid spending now represents biggest portion of total state spending, study finds
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 13, 2012
Medicaid spending increased 20% in fiscal 2012, representing the single largest portion of total state spending. This, combined with federally mandated Medicaid eligibility expansions, puts state budgets...
Most meds used by dual eligibles are covered by Medicare Part D, OIG says
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 12, 2012
The vast majority of the medications used by people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid can find what they need through Medicare Part D formularies, a federal report finds.
Lawmakers blast federal efforts to monitor and police Medicare fraud — again
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 11, 2012
Lawmakers again hammered the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Medicare program integrity contractors Friday. The latest salvos were fueled by an agency admission that additional mistakes...
Medicaid audit contractors lag behind Medicare counterparts, federal officials admit
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 08, 2012
Federal officials acknowledged in a House hearing Thursday that Medicaid’s recovery contractors have not been as successful as their Medicare counterparts in detecting fraud and recovering overpayments.
Ask the nursing expert: How can I learn to write a Plan of Correction?
By
Anne Marie Barnett
Jun 05, 2012
I learned how to write the Plan of Correction from a more seasoned director of nursing colleague of mine. Odds are there is somebody you know or look up to in the profession who might be able to give you...