Experts: Preventing re-hospitalizations key to Medicare solvency
Aug 18, 2008
Medicare could save up to $12 billion per year if it would reduce the number of Medicare patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of a previous stay. Those savings, in turn, could help fund physician...
Nursing-home study: Inspection system ‘broken and can’t be fixed’
Aug 13, 2008
A leading nursing-home association is calling for an independent panel to come up with new methods for overseeing nursing facilities. The association’s task force issued 31 recommendations Tuesday,...
Medicare spending to stay intact under House resolution
Jul 28, 2008
The House voted not to act this year on legislation to reduce Medicare spending.
Brookings briefing addresses long-term care survey process, job training
Jul 15, 2008
Redesigning the regulatory survey of nursing homes would help determine how far current resources can be stretched to improve quality, according to a panelist who participated in a long-term care reform...
New MedPAC recommendations ‘right on target,’ Minnix says
Jun 17, 2008
MedPAC’s recent recommendations to revise the payment system for skilled nursing facilities drew praise Monday from the head of the largest nonprofit association for long-term care providers.
MedPAC recommends reforming Medicare payment system for skilled nursing facilities
Jun 16, 2008
The Medicare advisory arm of Congress has issued recommendations for reforming the Medicare payment system, including the payment system for skilled nursing facilities.
Debate to continue for Baucus’ physician payment cut bill
Jun 13, 2008
The Senate yesterday rejected a motion that would have brought a bill stopping a pending 10.6% physician Medicare physician payment cut up for an immediate vote.
Providers: Survey shows lack of support for lawmakers favoring Medicare cuts
Jun 04, 2008
Two-thirds of voters polled said they would be less likely to vote for a member of Congress if he or she supports Medicare reforms that would lessen payments to nursing homes by $5 billion over five years....
CMS issues final rule on hospice care
May 30, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released its final rule concerning hospice care, despite a recent notice saying it would delay issuing such a rule until 2009.
Nursing homes want more from McCain long-term care reform plan
May 14, 2008
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain must create a broader reform plan that includes “increased comprehensive coverage for America’s long-term and post-acute care systems,”...