When a patient is referred to therapy, and they are receiving hospice care, then therapy needs to seek permission from the hospice company to provide any treatment. Hospice is required to reimburse the...
CMS not saying much about a payment deal that could be a game changer
By
John O'Connor
Jul 08, 2013
In recent years, many skilled care operators have nervously watched the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reduce and sometimes eliminate payments for physical, occupational and speech therapy services....
To group, or not to group
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jul 25, 2011
By simply creating more confusion, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made it more difficult for providers. In turn, providers are still expected to be ready to provide the best treatment...
Nursing home chains take worthy quality steps
By
Liza Berger
May 09, 2008
Two privately held nursing home chains went public this week with smart quality and resident care initiatives. The moves are worth touting – particularly in light of the scrutiny and bad press that have...
CNA speak: Take time to learn the language
By
Lori Porter
Jan 03, 2014
In my 32 years of careful study regarding the divide between administration and certified nursing aides, I have learned many things. One of the most important discoveries is that there are two separate...
The power of your mind — the greatest asset or the greatest barrier
By
Martie Moore
Oct 22, 2018
Your mind can be your biggest bonus, or something that subconsciously gets in the way of success.
Did OSHA just tell nursing homes to cut back on care?
By
John O'Connor
Feb 12, 2018
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration dropped the hammer on a Colorado facility last week. Given what’s happened, OSHA’s response might seem reasonable. At least on paper.
Musings of a gay nursing home resident
By
Danny Ventrelli
Jun 07, 2019
I am a 70-year-old openly gay male who has been living at Central Island Healthcare in Plainview, NY for five years now. As we move through June, which is Gay Pride Month, I was hoping to share my personal...
The key to keeping employees around? Kindness
By
Jun 27, 2017
We talk a lot about employee retention in this industry — and I mean a LOT. With the current employment climate of the sector, it would be unwise not to. Here’s a key to it.
Hospital readmissions: A revolving door to close
By
Ron Greeno, M.D, FCCP, MHM
Oct 15, 2015
Patients returning to the hospital from post-acute care facilities — including skilled nursing facilities, long-term care, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities — is a long-standing issue in...