Medicaid funds would more easily flow toward people wanting home- and community-based services — and away from nursing homes — under a new bill unveiled by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA).
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...
New payment models present opportunities for SNFs
By
Jeff Terkowitz
Jun 18, 2014
For skilled nursing facilities, the Medicare SNF 3-day rule can make it difficult to place the right patients in the right setting at the right time. The 3-day rule requires that a Medicare beneficiary...
Profile: A rare bird in Congress
By
Elizabeth Newman
May 01, 2014
When Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) was around 4 years old, she asked for a doctor’s kit. But growing up in a working class family in Glen Burnie, MD, the future nurse and Congressman didn’t know...
When it comes to paying for long-term care, public and private options can both fail
By
John O'Connor
Oct 07, 2013
What happened last week in Washington was not exactly highlight reel material. That is, unless you want to showcase public sector dysfunction.
Congress should increase funding for non-institutional care, link payment and performance, Medicaid directors...
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 30, 2013
The U.S. system for providing long-term care should be changed to reduce the number of people living in facilities and better align spending with health outcomes, according to comments that state Medicaid...
Nursing home operators get a little respect
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 18, 2013
Attitude determines altitude. You make your breaks. People are about as happy as they make their minds up to be. They’re all somewhat overused yet admirable sayings people live by. Nursing home operators...
Taking care of Medicare and Medicaid’s dual-eligibles: A job for Super- , er, Ombudsman
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 16, 2013
Giving long-term care stakeholders a reason to cheer, California recently requested a federal waiver to implement Cal MedConnect, a demonstration project meant to improve care coordination for people who...
Study links poor financial performance and ‘de facto’ nursing home segregation; raises questions...
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 02, 2013
Nursing homes with a high proportion of black residents tend to underperform financially, according to recently published research that raises difficult questions about admissions practices and healthcare...
When it comes to free Medicaid dollars, some governors in a state of denial
By
John O'Connor
Jun 10, 2013
Under a newly expanded Medicaid program option, states stand to reap billions of dollars in what amounts to free money. Much of this could go toward better resident care. But some governors can’t...