What the debate’s entitlement discussion means for LTC
By
Elizabeth Newman
Oct 21, 2016
While I never expected long-term care to be a serious part of discussion within the three presidential debates, the wonky part of my heart still jumped for joy when moderator Chris Wallace asked about...
Nursing homes and loopholes, a love story
By
John O'Connor
Aug 31, 2015
You can bet that nursing home-hired actuaries, lawyers, consultants and other assorted bean counters are going over new rules with a fine-tooth comb. They are looking for the next generation of potential...
Rare long-term care double win
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 29, 2015
So much for the dog days of summer getting close. Long-term care advocates were already at full woof on Tuesday — and that’s a good thing.
Has MedPAC been infiltrated?
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 17, 2015
Don’t look now, but it appears that nursing home owners might have sneaked one of their own onto the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
What will it cost you to stay in the post-acute care game?
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 22, 2015
More than just collecting data, providers need to use standardized, nationally recognized measures. Especially in this era of ACOs and alternative payment models. In the past, many individual providers...
CMS actuary throws cold water on ‘doc fix’ bill projections
By
John Hall
Apr 12, 2015
Long-term care leaders who have widely endorsed a House proposal to permanently “fix” the Sustainable Growth Rate formula, might be suffering buyer’s remorse after learning Friday that...
CMS expands therapy payment research
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 22, 2014
The government is expanding its research into alternative therapy payments, to consider more holistic changes to the way Medicare reimburses skilled nursing facilities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
Providers must see clearly before they CHOW down
By
Richard Cheng
Sep 29, 2014
When a skilled nursing facility changes ownership, the change is known in healthcare vernacular as a change of ownership or “CHOW.” Because this could wind up endangering a Medicare provider...
Why be optimistic when anxiety is an option?
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 06, 2014
Depending on how you like to interpret the news, nursing home operators are either facing some of the worst of times, or they’ve been infused with new life.
It’s time to stop long-term care state rankings
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 24, 2014
Minnesota routinely is named best state for long-term care, as it was last week in AARP’s 2014 scorecard. AARP held a panel discussion to unveil the rankings, and of course an official from Minnesota...