Rate hike will be only a part of the new Medicare reality
By
John O'Connor
Sep 01, 2014
Many providers are relieved that Medicare rates are slated to go up by 2% in the next fiscal year. After all, who wants to turn down $750 million, especially in a rate-cutting climate?
Facilities approach 15% goal for antipsychotics reduction
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2013
For decades, many providers have viewed antipsychotic drugs as a necessary evil for treating residents with dementia. But increasingly, these medications are just being seen as evil. So it’s hardly...
SNFs can ask for a 3-month reprieve in quality reporting
By
John O'Connor
Sep 04, 2015
Skilled nursing facilities unable to provide data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new quality reporting program will have a 90-day window to request an exception or extension, officials...
With budget out of the way, Congress eyes Medicare fix
By
John O'Connor
Jan 01, 2015
Now that President Obama has put his signature on a $1.1 trillion spending package, long-term care providers can focus on another looming spending challenge: the so-called “doc fix.”
Tech tools could disclose physical and emotional info
By
John O'Connor
Aug 02, 2011
Wireless mobile technology that can track daily activities such as walking, sitting and standing could help unearth important physical and emotional health data, new research suggests.
Two senators flip-flop and card check fades
By
John O'Connor
May 01, 2009
Both sides of the card check fight have been turning to commercials, polls and talking points to sway minds and votes. But there are signs that the battle may actually be over.
Plan to cut funding gets strong rebuke
By
John O'Connor
Sep 01, 2011
Long-term care officials excoriated a federal proposal to trim Medicare payments by more than 11%.
Labor nominee mum on card-check issue
By
John O'Connor
Feb 01, 2009
Senate Republicans grilled President Barack Obama’s choice for Labor secretary at a recent confirmation hearing. But Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) gave them little ammunition.
An idea whose time has (finally) come
By
John O'Connor
Sep 01, 2008
Like many revolutions, long-term care’s recent embrace of technology-based brain fitness tools began quietly. Then it exploded.