NAHCA’s new membership structure is a good example of how we can sometimes dramatically change the way we budget, or even our philosophies.
CMS did more than ‘just’ cut Medicare pay by 11.1%
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Aug 19, 2011
Have you started your COT trending analysis? On Aug. 8, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final ruling and commentary for the new implementation of the MDS changes set to take effect...
Getting gritty with the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
By
Nov 01, 2016
Whatever your workforce issues are, Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., might have just the answer you’re looking for. And it involves a little advice from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
4 tips for boosting resident satisfaction
By
Gina Smith
Sep 28, 2016
Your residents and potential consumers are paying more attention than ever to the care they receive, and long-term care providers are taking note.
Is no news really good news?
By
May 03, 2016
Long-term care doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Every once in awhile, the issues you face in your facilities each day “leak” out of the healthcare realm and on to the pages of a major newspaper,...
Infection control: Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
By
Joe Crowley
Jun 17, 2015
One of the bigger buzz terms flying around healthcare circles is prevention plans.
Goodbye, Colbert . . . hello, flu
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 23, 2014
In honor of Stephen Colbert’s recently ended run on Comedy Central, I’d like to address some “truthiness” I’ve recently spotted, which I believe could harm long-term care...
Loopholes to help you track Medicare Part B therapy billing
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Feb 06, 2013
Every time we send our patients to the hospital for rehab-related tests, exams or services, these services are billed to Medicare Part B, and, therefore, reduce our cap allowances. Any small oversights...
No rockets’ red (or blue) glare
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 29, 2012
Like sitting in a tub of hot cocoa on the shore of an enchanted mountain lake while listening to a choir of violin-wielding angels. That’s about how it felt to spend some quality time last week at...
Increasing length-of-stay
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jan 30, 2012
Length-of-stay — LOS — is one of those management reports that often leaves administrators and upper management bewildered. If you increase LOS, you essentially increase your census.