State threatens under-occupied facilities with another rate cut
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 02, 2023
A new bill threatens to cut administrative payments to Connecticut nursing homes that cannot maintain 90% occupancy, even as the national skilled nursing average hovers around 75%.
OIG writing compliance guidebook to assist nursing home sector, hints at focus areas
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 19, 2024
The federal government’s top watchdog is working on sector-specific guides to assist nursing homes in keeping in compliance with federal regulations. Particular attention will be given to some challenging...
Lawmakers reignite attacks against ‘scam’ Medicare Advantage plans
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jul 27, 2023
Federal lawmakers and activists are turning up the heat again on Medicare Advantage, a month after 300 members of Congress told the federal agency that oversees the system to make it easier to manage.
3,600 steps a day can lower heart failure in older women, report says
By
Kristen Fischer
Feb 22, 2024
An average of 3,600 steps a day at a normal pace was linked to a 26% lower chance for developing heart failure in women over the age of 60, according to a new study published Wednesday in JAMA Cardiology.
State creates nursing home ownership transparency rules ahead of federal action
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jul 18, 2023
Connecticut has new transparency rules for nursing home owners and will require a “plain language” explanation of how Medicaid rates are set.
Medicare Advantage retaining sicker patients with more complex health needs: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2023
After years of criticism for cherry-picking healthier people for enrollment, Medicare Advantage is now holding onto more patients with chronic conditions, investigators say.
CMS eager to leverage new nursing home ownership data, leader confirms
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 26, 2023
A top Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enforcement official said Tuesday that the agency is eager to use data collected under a proposed ownership transparency rule to “scrutinize how certain...
CMS clarifies: New flu vaccination reporting rule applies broadly
By
Joe Bush
Oct 07, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Thursday cleared up what officials called confusion about the types of skilled nursing facilities now required to report annual healthcare personnel influenza...
Vigorous exercise may guard against death from Alzheimer’s disease
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 18, 2023
Engaging in vigorous activity compared to moderate exercise may lower the rate of dying from Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study. The study was published in the December issue of The Lancet...
Two new studies identify potential warning signs of cognitive decline in older adults
By
John Roszkowski
Oct 13, 2023
Older adults who show subtle decline on standard memory and cognitive tests may be at increased risk for developing mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia, according to the results of a new...