Government report describes bungled manual review process for therapy claims
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 12, 2013
There was no timely guidance for therapy contractors from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office. That resulted in a struggle...
Five-Star makes complaints against nursing homes even more serious
By
Tyler J. Smith
Jul 06, 2009
Nursing homes have a difficult enough time contending with the survey and certification system. Now that the Five-Star Quality Rating System has begun, they have to work even harder to protect themselves...
Failure to prepare for MDS updates in the next 10 days could be costly, expert warns
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 21, 2012
If skilled nursing facilities are not prepared for the MDS 3.0 changes that will go into effect April 1, 2012, the consequences could be expensive, a top expert warned Wednesday.
CMS adds August ‘train-the-trainer’ session for MDS 3.0
Jun 07, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will hold a second ‘train-the-trainer’ session for providers on MDS 3.0 from August 9 to 13 in Las Vegas, the agency’s Thomas Dudley said...
Need for cognitive assessments missing from home- and community-based Medicaid regulations, group says
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 17, 2012
Regulations issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services concerning Medicaid coverage for home- and community-based services has been too vague for Alzheimer’s advocates.
Editor’s desk: Stars losing their luster for ‘punished’ providers
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 06, 2015
One gets the feeling that federal regulators, no matter how proper the official talk went, took a bit of pleasure in sending a message to providers when recently rebasing their star ratings.
Nursing home residents are allowed to designate organizations as authorized representatives for Medicaid...
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 16, 2013
In the final rule, CMS confirmed that organizations may serve as representatives, specifically citing the needs of nursing home residents who do not have family available for assistance. The rule also...
Antipsychotic drug use correlated to staffing levels
By
McKnight's Staff
May 01, 2012
While antipsychotic drug use overuse has decreased since 2005, nearly a quarter of U.S. nursing homes are still giving many residents the medications against recommendations, a Boston Globe analysis reveals.
More hospice info wanted
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2013
Federal regulators have added another layer of bureaucracy for hospice providers operating within skilled nursing facilities.
Quality measures needed to evaluate end-of-life care in nursing homes, study urges
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 17, 2012
As the number of people who choose nursing homes for end-of-life care continues to rise, more quality measures are needed to help consumers judge quality, a new study recommends.