Dual-stiffness flooring in nursing homes helps reduce fractures from falls, study shows
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 12, 2013
Nursing home residents who fall on dual-stiffness flooring may be less prone to fractures, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
Murray, Ryan begin budget negotiations as long-term care providers analyze White House plan
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 12, 2013
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) met Wednesday to discuss budget negotiations. The architects of the House and Senate budgets had a “constructive discussion” and are “working...
Long-term care groups protest Obama budget’s $81 billion in Medicare cuts
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 11, 2013
The White House’s proposed budget includes $81 billion in Medicare payment reductions to long-term care providers. The reductions would take place over 10 years, as part of the Obama administration’s...
Court clarifies HIPAA definition of ‘personal representative’ in ruling on Florida nursing...
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 11, 2013
Nursing home residents’ spouses and attorneys-in-fact do not necessarily meet the definition of “personal representatives” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act,...
CMS changes nursing home inspections in response to sequestration cuts
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 10, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will change some nursing home survey procedures in response to budget cuts from sequestration, according to memos released Tuesday. The CMS Survey & Certification...
Nursing home costs approach $84,000 a year, Genworth survey shows
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 10, 2013
The cost of long-term care continues to rise, according to the 10th annual Cost of Care Survey from insurance company Genworth. The median annual cost of a private nursing home room reached $83,950 this...
Reduce Medicare payments for hospice care in skilled nursing facilities, MedPAC suggests
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 08, 2013
The government should consider Medicare payment cuts for hospice services provided in skilled nursing facilities, according to Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) commissioners. A reduction of...
CMS clarifies physician delegation of tasks in skilled nursing facilities
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 04, 2013
Nursing home operators can now download a brief clarifying which tasks physicians may delegate to other practitioners caring for Medicare beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the Centers for Medicare...
Intensity of activities doesn’t determine level of benefits for seniors, researchers say
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 04, 2013
Mental and physical stimulation improves seniors’ memory and thinking skill, regardless of how rigorous the activities are, according to a recently published study.
HIPAA will keep changing, federal official tells industry association
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 03, 2013
Providers can expect increased enforcement and continuing rule changes related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), according to a prominent industry group.