Feds ease auditing reviews, anti-fraud efforts to surge
By
John O'Connor
Dec 01, 2013
Providers likely will embrace House legislation that eases billing reviews for operators deemed a low fraud risk.
CLASS dismissed by ‘Gang of 6’ proposal
By
John O'Connor
Aug 02, 2011
A debt-reduction framework advanced by the bipartisan “Gang of Six” in the Senate would eliminate the CLASS Act. Provider groups quickly took issue with such efforts.
The BIG Picture: Let’s take out the trash
By
John O'Connor
Dec 01, 2010
In the song “Red Shoes,” Elvis Costello famously sings: “I used to be disgusted, but now I try to be amused.” Although the lyrics were recorded back in 1976, they provide an appropriate...
Budget plans for Democrats might be gone with the win
By
John O'Connor
Mar 01, 2010
Of all the questionable forecasts in President Obama’s $3.8 trillion budget for 2011, perhaps the most dubious is this: It assumes Congress will enact healthcare reform this year.
Higher wound care costs are driving treatment research
By
John O'Connor
Jun 06, 2012
As wound care treatment costs continue to escalate, an unprecedented effort is underway to learn more about the ways wounds develop and can be best treated.
Worker-friendly immigration reform could be on the table after November elections
By
John O'Connor
Oct 09, 2018
SAN DIEGO — Is it possible President Trump will work with lawmakers to improve employment options for immigrants? This seemingly unlikely scenario could actually play out after the November elections,...
The BIG Picture: understanding why significant healthcare reform is unlikely to happen
By
John O'Connor
Jun 01, 2009
Despite a general dissatisfaction with Medicare and Medicaid rates, providers have mostly benefited from the way things are, at least as far as payments are concerned. Why would they want to mess with...
The BIG Picture: Giving you extra credit
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2010
In the months ahead, we’ll be looking to offer continuing education in new and different ways.
Care improving in key areas, report asserts
By
John O'Connor
Nov 01, 2009
Nursing home quality improvement efforts have largely succeeded in recent years, according to a report that was jointly released by the American Health Care Association and the Alliance for Quality Nursing...
Feds unveil plan to improve tech safety via partnerships
By
John O'Connor
Aug 01, 2013
Healthcare technology can greatly help or harm the care residents receive. Recognizing this dichotomy, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has issued a health...