The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services surprised providers at the end of 2019 when they presented a first draft of the 2020 MDS item sets.
Arbitration has checkered LTC history
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 01, 2019
There is at least a temporary end to the pinball existence of nursing home pre-dispute arbitration clauses now that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a final rule allowing them.
New OT pay threshold search underway
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 06, 2017
Although the Trump administration didn’t like its predecessor’s new threshold for determining overtime pay eligibility, it apparently is taking steps to raise the cut off point.
Senators want to know more about nursing home ratings
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 05, 2015
The Government Accountability Office is becoming well-versed at digging into the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ nursing home ratings system.
Why are Medicare cuts bad? Industry has a billion reasons
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 01, 2009
Billions of dollars worth of unintended costs and consequences could be the fallout if the government follows through with a proposal to cut Medicare payments by $1.05 billion next year, nursing home advocates...
Lawmakers take aim at arbitration pacts
By
James M. Berklan
May 01, 2008
A new Senate bill seeks to eliminate providers’ ability to bind residents to pre-dispute arbitration agreements.
Rate drops for antipsychotics
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 04, 2015
Industry leaders were pleasantly surprised to learn that nursing home operators had exceeded goals for lowering unnecessary antipsychotics use. The level dropped by nearly 20% over a three-year span.
Liability costs will climb 5%
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 01, 2014
Long-term care operators can expect a 5% increase in liability costs in 2014, according to a new analysis from Aon Global Risk Consulting and the American Health Care Association.
AHCA, Alliance merge to augment Hill clout
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 01, 2013
The nation’s largest nursing home association has re-absorbed an aggressive sub-group of large nursing home operators to create an even stronger lobbying organization for long-term care providers.
Providers cheer bill, but want cap relief
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 05, 2015
Long-term care providers were among those cheering loudest when the Senate returned from its spring recess and promptly voted 92-8 to pass H.R. 2, ensuring that draconian Medicare pay rates for doctors...