“Stand up, Dad,” my daughter kept insisting. But there was simply no way that was going to happen. The setting was a major league baseball stadium. As part of a pregame tribute, the public...
SNFs can ask for a 3-month reprieve in quality reporting
By
John O'Connor
Sep 04, 2015
Skilled nursing facilities unable to provide data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new quality reporting program will have a 90-day window to request an exception or extension, officials...
Ask the legal expert … about leave-of-absence mistakes
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2013
How can we avoid some of the most common leave-of-absence mistakes administrators/owners make?
Omnicare unveils prescribing app for controlled substances
By
John O'Connor
Mar 01, 2012
Omnicare recently announced the launch of a new application for controlled substances. Prescribers — including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants — can electronically transmit...
The family secrets that hold back long-term care
By
John O'Connor
May 21, 2012
Several years ago I called some industry experts with a simple request. I asked if there was a place where I could find some basic benchmarks about industry spending. Didn’t think I was looking for...
Senior living operators can choose happiness — which really annoys some economists
By
John O'Connor
May 17, 2013
In recent times, federal deficit spending has only gotten worse. But now that it appears there are some bright spots, it’s a bad thing? Depends on whom you talk to.
Few signs of a deal as fiscal cliff nears
By
John O'Connor
Dec 02, 2012
Winning candidates had little time to enjoy November election victories, thanks to a looming $600 billion fiscal cliff.
Why are more RAC audits happening? There are trillions of reasons
By
John O'Connor
Sep 10, 2012
Recovery audit contractors are stepping up their efforts to review Medicare billings. This appears to be a classic case of auditors gone wild.
Hard to duck painful cuts, AHCA head says
By
John O'Connor
Nov 02, 2012
Of all the uncertainties in politics, one thing is concrete: When the November elections are over, a lame duck period will have officially begun in Washington.
Regardless of fiscal cliff outcome, funding cuts loom
By
John O'Connor
Nov 26, 2012
We’re hearing much out of Washington these days about the looming fiscal cliff. Assessments about its impact run the gamut from no big deal to very big deal. As is usually the case, the truth is...