Senators introduce transparency bill and GAO report revealing under-funded survey system
Mar 20, 2009
A new Government Accountability Office report shows that the survey and certification system lacks the funding necessary to keep pace with its oversight responsibilities. Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA)...
Opinion: the five-star nursing home rating system is bad policy, hastily implemented
Mar 01, 2009
A good idea does not necessarily good policy make. For proof, look no further than the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services’ recently unveiled Five-Star rating system for nursing homes.
McKnight’s Online Expo offers free continuing education units for the first time
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 01, 2009
In this down-turned economy, when most things seem to be getting more difficult to accomplish or acquire, there is one high-quality endeavor bucking the trend: McKnight’s Online Expo.
Regulators delaying new MDS 3.0 nursing home payment system to ‘minimize confusion’
Mar 06, 2009
Federal healthcare regulators on Thursday announced a sweeping round of delays for an updated tool to enhance the nursing home payment system. The rollout of MDS 3.0 is now targeted for October 2010 and...
New rule hindering suits against nursing homes goes unnoticed
Feb 25, 2009
A recent article in The Washington Post sheds light on a quietly enacted last-minute Bush policy that hinders the prosecution of cases against nursing homes.
Five-star nursing home rating system kicks off with controversy
Dec 18, 2008
The head of one provider organization reacted negatively Wednesday to the way the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has handled the launch of a new five-star rating system for nursing homes. The...
Nursing homes to be notified of initial ‘five-star’ ratings starting Monday
Dec 12, 2008
Nursing home operators on Monday will begin receiving advance notice of their first ratings in federal regulators’ new “five-star” system, officials said during a conference call Thursday.
AHCA pressures CMS, lawmakers to wait on ‘five-star’ rating system
Nov 25, 2008
The pending “five-star” nursing home rating system should be delayed because it would not accurately reflect the quality of the nation’s nursing homes, the American Health Care Association...
Experts favor new payment system rewarding higher quality and more efficient care
Nov 04, 2008
A new survey of healthcare leaders finds that almost all feel the current healthcare payment system is fundamentally flawed and must be reformed. An overwhelming majority favor bonuses for high-quality...
Medicaid reform pilot to enhance choices confuses beneficiaries
Oct 17, 2008
A Florida pilot program designed to give Medicare beneficiaries more choice and control concerning their healthcare plans has led to more confusion than anything else, according to a recent review by the...