Healthcare reform, Medicare just pawns on campaign trail
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2012
When it comes to healthcare reform and Medicare, long-term care operators tend to focus on the so-called small pieces. These include things such as therapy caps, Minimum Data Set payments and forced reimbursement...
Health reform penalties start
By
Elizabeth Newman
Sep 01, 2012
In less than a month, more than 2,000 U.S. hospitals will be subject to financial penalties for preventable readmissions, making their relationships with post-acute providers more important than ever.
Liability costs rising: report
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 01, 2012
Long-term care operators have had to pay 4% more annually in liability costs over the past three years, a new analysis shows.
GOP pledges to fight on after vote saves healthcare reform
By
John O'Connor
Aug 01, 2012
Who says one vote doesn’t matter? The Supreme Court preserved the Affordable Care Act because a conservative judge decided that a liberal president’s expanded healthcare program was worth saving.
Partnerships a must for SNFs
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Healthcare reform efforts intended to reduce hospital readmissions are here to stay, experts said during a recent McKnight’s webcast.
Disruption feared if ACA is struck down
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 06, 2012
Skilled nursing operators are among the many providers waiting — and worrying — about whether the U.S. Supreme Court will scrap the healthcare reform law in a ruling expected to be announced late this...
Refine quality to gain better image: leaders
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jun 06, 2012
Long-term care providers face negative perceptions and should focus on quality measurements to combat unfair portrayals, association executives said in May.
Common issue: ACO confusion
By
Elizabeth Newman
Nov 01, 2011
Healthcare providers are struggling to decipher new approaches to reimbursement, including accountable care organizations, according to a new survey.
No forgiveness for MDS errors?
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 01, 2011
Providers who aren’t completely up to speed in understanding new MDS 3.0 requirements could be in for a very rude awakening, according to a well-known expert on payment and assessment systems.
Hospitalizations lead to more SNF stays
By
Mary Gustafson
Nov 01, 2011
Medicare beneficiaries who are hospitalized for acute-care treatment, including a stroke or hip fracture, are at an “extremely high risk” for needing long-term care in a nursing home, a new...