The pen pals nobody wants: These members of Congress miss the point, again
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 07, 2024
In a week in which Congress appears ready to get down to work on several bills meant to ease workforce issues for struggling nursing homes, some elected leaders would rather create more busy work for some...
Here’s what I predict
By
John O'Connor
Jan 08, 2024
What’s the problem with forecasting the days ahead for long-term care? I think Warren Buffet aptly summed up all you really need to know. “Forecasts may tell you a great deal about the forecaster;...
The blinking light
By
Gary Tetz
Jan 25, 2024
The office next to mine is empty. Well, not completely. A few pieces of furniture, an ugly lamp and some dog-eared file folders clutter the space a long-term care colleague once occupied. But that’s...
One state seeks to return polish to star ratings. How long will the rest take?
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 27, 2024
More ratings, relationships and payment incentives are tied to nursing home data than ever before, but that data also appears to be harder than just about ever to collect in a timely manner.
Better together
By
Gary Tetz
Nov 30, 2023
An hour or so before the siren in our long-term care factory blasted the official start of the work day, and feeling a heightened level of job-related stress, I strolled into a colleague’s office uninvited...
Scrooged again: MA plans can’t escape criticism of clandestine coverage rules
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 02, 2024
If you were looking for someone deserving to be cast as Ebeneezer Scrooge this holiday season, Medicare Advantage insurers may have just locked up the audition (for this year and maybe future years too).
Hitting the road for rural respect
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 17, 2023
This week takes me on a road trip, but I assure you there’s no VW bus with a dashboard full of party snacks.
When long-term care becomes a slugfest
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 06, 2023
If you ever want to see something really wrong, just watch two sides fight when both think they’re really right. It usually isn’t pretty.
A crazy way to spend a healthcare fortune
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 01, 2023
I’d like to announce that the folks who run Medicare Advantage plans will be shaking in their boots soon, fearful of what authorities are going to do to them.
Fingers crossed: Medicare Advantage may be turning around
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Aug 22, 2023
As a long-term care provider, what’s your favorite thing about Medicare Advantage? No three-day hospital stay. And not much else. As a beneficiary of Medicare Advantage (MA), there are plenty...