Hospice workers who provide care for residents of skilled nursing facilities will have to provide more detailed claim data starting next year, according to recently released requirements from the Centers...
Florida’s top LTC ombudsman placed under ‘virtual house arrest,’ state investigates...
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 01, 2013
The leader of Florida’s long-term care ombudsman program is under investigation and has been placed on administrative leave under strict conditions, according to local reports. Harold J. Crochet...
Federal watchdog agency joins chorus for observation stay reform, reports on scope of the problem
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 31, 2013
Observation status prevented hundreds of thousands of people from qualifying for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing services last year, showing the pressing need for reform, according to a government...
Green House, Blue Valentine, and the way people talk about long-term care
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 30, 2013
Last week, NPR ran a story lauding The Green House Project — and slamming traditional nursing homes. The piece began with this summary of people’s fears: “One thing just about everyone dreads...
‘Doc fix’ bill calls attention to need for therapy fix, NASL leader says
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 29, 2013
Provider groups are urging lawmakers to address outpatient therapy payments in addition to fixes to Medicare’s physician payment system, according to Cynthia Morton, executive vice president of the...
Residents often change position on CPR, showing need for Minimum Data Set changes, researchers say
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 29, 2013
Many nursing home residents change their mind after admission about whether they want to be revived through cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but Minimum Data Set changes threaten to decrease residents’...
Post-acute care largely explains geographic differences in Medicare spending, report affirms
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 29, 2013
Geographic variances in post-acute care largely account for differences in Medicare spending patterns, supporting healthcare reform measures that encourage better acute and post-acute coordination, according...
Bold legislative proposals could prevent deep reimbursement cuts, AHCA leader says
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 26, 2013
Long-term care providers are offering lawmakers policy ideas aligned with the changing healthcare landscape in the United States, in an effort to control costs and improve quality while avoiding slashed...
Government agency calls off effort to assess antipsychotic use in nursing homes, watchdog group reports
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 26, 2013
A government investigation into nursing homes’ antipsychotic prescribing practices will not move forward due to budget and staff cuts, according to nonprofit investigative news organization The Center...
Hospital doctors are seniors’ best allies in observation stay conflicts, geriatric care group finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 25, 2013
Hospital physicians are the best recourse for seniors who have problems related to “observation status,” according to a new survey from the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care...