As the sands of the year race to their finish, there is one certainty about the long-term care news in 2014: It’s been wild and trying.
Not much to be thankful for?
By
John O'Connor
Nov 19, 2023
It’s easy to take what we have here for granted. This is a land of unmatched freedom and opportunity. Not that it’s always crimson and clover. For example, consider what skilled care providers are...
Is it the docs’ turn to get stoned?
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 25, 2018
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services brought out its equivalent of a brass band and confetti machine Tuesday to tout a new provider payment strategy. One could almost hear strains of “Happy...
Providers rewarded for sticking with it
By
James M. Berklan
May 02, 2018
One could excuse long-term care providers if they’re walking around looking over their shoulders right now. I can personally identify with that.
Guess who’s pushing for better long-term care payments?
By
John O'Connor
Aug 13, 2022
So who are the nation’s most powerful advocates for better long-term care funding? There’s an outside sleeper candidate.
News analysis: Medicare deficit rose by $1.2 trillion last year
May 20, 2008
The federal government accrued $2.5 trillion in new financial obligations to entitlement programs last year, far surpassing the reported figures of $162 billion, according to a new analysis from USA Today.
‘Not a shock:’ MedPAC considering 5% pay cut for SNFs
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 14, 2021
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is leaning toward recommending a 5% pay cut for skilled nursing facilities in fiscal 2021 after a new report found that Medicare margins may indicate SNF pay rates...
Why providers aren’t elated about new pay-for-quality goals
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 28, 2015
You can forgive long-term care providers if they weren’t outwardly jumping for joy at Monday’s announcement that Medicare is going to start paying for quality, and not quantity, of services.
Be careful about showing appreciation during unstable times
By
Paul White
Oct 21, 2016
Sometimes well-meaning supervisors (and sometimes leaders who don’t want to do the hard work of dealing with problems) try to use appreciation as a “quick fix” for deeper issues that...
Governor signs bill that gives nursing homes $700 million funding boost
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 02, 2022
A $700 million Medicaid funding boost is coming to Illinois providers after Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) on Tuesday signed nursing home reform legislation that ties the Medicaid increases to higher staffing...