Message from the White House: Don’t trust nursing homes
By
John O'Connor
Mar 08, 2013
Ever wonder how much regard the White House has for long-term care operators? A brief filed last week makes the answer abundantly clear: very little.
LeadingAge and AHCA join ranks opposed to Medicaid cost sharing proposal
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 26, 2013
LeadingAge and the American Health Care Association have joined a growing list of organizations opposed to Medicaid cost-sharing provisions in the Affordable Care Act. More than 700 respondents submitted...
Old wine, new bottles: Increased scrutiny for antipsychotic drug use
By
Alan C. Horowitz, Esq., RN
Feb 22, 2013
The landmark legislation known as “OBRA ’87” (the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987) significantly limited the inappropriate use of antipsychotic drug use in long-term care facilities....
Do you know your P’s and Q’s of QAPI?
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Feb 21, 2013
The Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement system from CMS is on our doorsteps. As facilities have been training and educating themselves, the new QIS (Quality Indicator Surveys) are ready to roll....
CMS wants burdens eased
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 01, 2013
Providers will have their say about the future of Medicare Administrative Contractors.
CMS angling to ease providers’ burdens from Medicare Administrative Contractors
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 10, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is asking providers to help figure out a way to make demands from Medicare Administrative Contractors less burdensome.
Don’t get burned! Regulatory updates you need to know
By
Lisa Thomson, LNHA
Jan 02, 2013
As leaders in post-acute care, we need to stay abreast of the regulatory changes and its impact on our operations. In healthcare the one thing that remains consistent is change! Effective December 1, 2012,...
CMS issues full Sandy waivers
By
McKnight's Staff
Nov 06, 2012
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued blanket waivers that include skilled nursing providers. That means long-term care facilities in New York and New...
Ready Set: QAPI!
By
Steven Littlehale
Nov 05, 2012
Nursing facilities must submit written QAPI plans to CMS one year after promulgation of the regulation. This regulation will be in addition to current QAA standards.
The importance of a smoking policy
By
Betty Norman
Oct 25, 2012
Resident smoking polices mean much more than cleaner air at long-term care facilities. As recent incidents demonstrate, having effective policies for residents – and making sure they are followed...