Senators blast HHS’ restrictive coverage for Alzheimer’s drugs
By
Ron Rajecki
Mar 24, 2023
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra came under fire Wednesday during a Senate Finance Committee meeting regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ restrictive national...
FDA advisers support full approval of Paxlovid for at-risk older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
The antiviral drug Paxlovid should receive full FDA approval to treat COVID-19 in older adults at risk of severe outcomes, the advisers decided in a Thursday vote.
Initial symptoms of dementia predict speed of progression, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
No matter the type of underlying brain changes, the first cognitive symptoms of dementia help predict long-term functional outcomes, researchers report.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, March 15
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 15, 2023
Bill would require senior living communities to recognize essential caregivers … Home oxygen groups request continued flexibilities at PHE’s end … Medicare enrollment has surged among kidney failure...
VHA to cover new Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, despite CMS’s restraint
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 14, 2023
The Veterans Health Administration will provide coverage for the recently approved drug lecanemab (Leqembi) to qualified veterans with early Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a surprise move considering...
FDA denies request for expedited approval of Alzheimer’s drug
By
John Roszkowski
Jan 23, 2023
The Food and Drug Administration late last week denied Ely Lilly’s request for expedited approval of the Alzheimer’s drug donanemab, citing the need for more clinical trials to test the safety and...
CMS to begin audits for schizophrenia coding, says citations will affect quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2023
The agency will start auditing nursing homes this month to determine whether residents’ schizophrenia diagnoses are accurate and appropriately coded. A pattern of inaccurate coding may result in a quality...
Senior care association opens free COVID test kit program to all providers
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 09, 2023
Industry advocate LeadingAge is now offering free test kits to long-term care providers in all care settings and communities.
Senior care scores some wins in congressional budget deal
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 21, 2022
A Congressional spending package for fiscal year 2023 supports key healthcare policy requests important to long-term care industry stakeholders, saving some clinicians and services from feared cuts.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Dec. 6
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 06, 2022
Having a sense of purpose can lower the risk of death from any cause … New nursing home quality coalition Moving Forward requests feedback … Researchers granted $7.3M from CDC to study long COVID …...