Hospital, nursing home information sharing to become ‘routine,’ government agencies say
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 09, 2013
As sharing of electronic health information becomes standard across all care settings, using technology may become a prerequisite for providers to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, according...
Ask the payment expert … about regs vs. resident choice
By
Patricia Boyer
Nov 01, 2014
We are going through culture change and wonder if surveyors will be more lenient with regulations if we do something that is resident choice?
New CMS letter offers revised infection control guidance for F-441
Aug 19, 2009
Information about implementing an infection prevention program, recognizing and containing outbreaks, and proper handling of linens are all part of revised guidance for F-tag 441.
Failure to prepare for MDS updates in the next 10 days could be costly, expert warns
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 21, 2012
If skilled nursing facilities are not prepared for the MDS 3.0 changes that will go into effect April 1, 2012, the consequences could be expensive, a top expert warned Wednesday.
Move to improve residents’ quality of life a welcome development
By
Nancy L. Gorman
Aug 04, 2009
Enhanced standards from The Joint Commission complement new guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Both emphasize improving the quality of life of long-term care residents.
Bigger trash cans allowed in updated LSC waiver rule
By
Ashley Carman
Sep 05, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated its Life Safety Code Waivers on Aug. 30. The update is designed to prevent “unreasonable hardship” for providers while maintaining resident...
Providers must be compliant with new nursing home payment rules or face rejection of claims, expert says
Oct 06, 2011
Nursing home administrators must be absolutely certain their billing department staff and MDS coordinators are up to speed on the newly implemented PPS rules for therapy, MDS expert Leah Klusch said Wednesday...
Former AHCA/NCAL leader Willging dies
May 24, 2011
Paul Willging, Ph.D., the former long-time president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living and CEO, died Saturday at age 69. He had cancer.
Ask the payment expert … about RACs
Apr 06, 2015
I thought the Recovery Audit Contractors were on hold, so why did I receive a request from our RAC for a Medicare Advantage resident?
CMS revises hospice rules
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 02, 2013
A long-term care provider and its hospice partner will need to draw up a detailed contract, according to a final rule released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and published in the Federal...