Senators fret over HIPAA weakening to ease SNF communication
By
Marty Stempniak
Feb 11, 2019
Two ranking senators said moves by the Trump administration to open up communication channels between nursing homes and other providers could weaken privacy regulations.
CEO Mackey stepping down from troubled Five Star Senior Living
By
Marty Stempniak
Dec 11, 2018
The chief executive of struggling Five Star Senior Living is stepping down at the end of the month, the company announced Tuesday afternoon.
With Supreme Court reversal, nursing home may be able to claim ‘charitable immunity’ after all
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 12, 2019
An Arkansas nursing home hoping to claim immunity from a lawsuit because of its charitable status may have new life, thanks to a new ruling from the state’s highest court.
Not all pilot programs save money — this one will cost a provider $8M extra
By
Marty Stempniak
Mar 11, 2019
A Texas physicians group must pay the federal government $8 million after a program to decrease costs for Medicare beneficiaries did the opposite, a judge ruled recently.
Nursing home that repeatedly hung up on deaf woman ordered to pay up, train staff
By
Marty Stempniak
Dec 06, 2018
A New Jersey nursing home could be on the hook for more than $12,000 in penalties after one of its workers repeatedly hung up on a deaf social worker.
CMS strengthens decentralization push, gives states more Medicaid authority
By
Marty Stempniak
Aug 20, 2018
Aiming to cut down on regulatory burdens and give more power to states, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is making notable changes to the Medicaid program, the biggest source of payment for...
Nursing home on the hook for C. diff infection death, court rules
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 25, 2019
A Massachusetts nursing home must face a medical malpractice suit for allegedly failing to diagnose one of its resident’s bacterial infections leading to his death, an appeals court ruled recently.
OIG looks to shame those who refuse to enter corporate integrity agreements
By
Marty Stempniak
Oct 01, 2018
Health & Human Services is looking to ratchet up public pressure on healthcare fraudsters who refuse to improve their corporate business practices after getting caught.
Court refuses to throw out suit against Humana tied to Medicare Advantage
By
Marty Stempniak
Jun 27, 2018
A California judge has refused to throw out a lawsuit against Humana, tied to Medicare Advantage, which legal experts say could help to inform future such litigation.
High Court hears nursing home free-speech case stemming from dispute with Wilkes and McHugh law firm
By
Marty Stempniak
Jan 23, 2019
The Georgia Supreme Court was set to hear arguments Tuesday on whether a law firm’s allegedly misleading ads about three nursing homes are protected by freedom of speech provisions.