Nursing homes need to act fast in ‘new era,’ expert says
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 26, 2022
The White House and federal regulators have thrust nursing homes into what could be a two-generation crisis mode, and providers must act quickly to soften the blow, a leading industry expert says.
Sebelius gets HHS nod, DeParle tabbed to become health czar
Mar 03, 2009
President Obama officially nominated Kathleen Sebelius, the democratic governor of Kansas, for the job of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Monday. Sebelius had been considered...
Providers must see clearly before they CHOW down
By
Richard Cheng
Sep 29, 2014
When a skilled nursing facility changes ownership, the change is known in healthcare vernacular as a change of ownership or “CHOW.” Because this could wind up endangering a Medicare provider...
Reducing seniors’ drug use, one iPod at a time
By
John O'Connor
Mar 28, 2014
For reasons that are understandable yet hard to countenance, antipsychotic drugs are widely used in nursing homes. Too often over-used, according to government statistics. But it’s beginning to look...
Proposed CMS rule could give some nursing homes extra time to install sprinklers
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 06, 2013
Some nursing homes may be able to get a two-year extension on a requirement to install an automatic sprinkler system, under a rule proposed Monday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CMS suspends surveys, allows providers to exceed bed capacity in states hit by Hurricane Harvey
By
Sep 06, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is extending some flexibilities for Medicare providers in Texas and Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Administrator Seema Verma said on Saturday.
Reimbursement penalties did not reduce hospital-acquired infection rates; harsher sanctions might be...
By
McKnight's Staff
Oct 15, 2012
Financial penalties did not reduce healthcare facility-acquired infections in acute-care settings, a new study finds. Researchers say harsher sanctions might help.
Hospital readmission rates plateau, provide SNFs with opportunity
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 20, 2012
With penalties for preventable hospital readmissions looming, recently released Medicare data shows that U.S. hospitals aren’t making much progress in lowering readmission rates.
CMS releases reference chart for new therapy-related G-codes
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 16, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a reference chart listing the new G-codes needed for outpatient therapy services claims under the Medicare fee-for-service program.
In first nursing home visit, CMS admin gets straight talk on agencies, pay and performance
By
James M. Berklan
May 12, 2022
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure has visited nursing homes numerous times, but on Wednesday she did so for the first time in her current capacity as their top...