West Virginia — West Virginia has begun requiring a comprehensive background check program for long-term care employees. All skilled nursing providers will be required to use the program by the beginning...
Facing the music: Providers learning new moves so they can stay in step with new dance partners
By
Elizabeth Newman
Oct 05, 2015
There’s no doubt today’s long-term care provider must be able to dance with managed care and accountable care organizations. But while many are proving they can tango with transitions or rumba...
Minorities skeptical about end-of-life care
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 05, 2015
Black Medicare beneficiaries are far less likely to accept hospice care or prepare advanced care directives than their white counterparts, according to a new report from Kaiser Health News.
Injected cholesterol drug is new option
By
Elizabeth Newman
Oct 05, 2015
Residents with high cholesterol have a new choice. On August 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval of a Repatha injection for patients who cannot reduce their low-density lipoprotein...
Ask the Care Expert about… labeling clean equipment
By
Sherrie Dornberger
Oct 05, 2015
We are changing the system of how we mark clean equipment in storage and residents’ rooms. Currently, we have a plastic bag over the items, and through training everyone knows these are the clean...
Profile: Sharon Colling
By
Elizabeth Newman
Oct 05, 2015
While many administrators enter long-term care because of a personal experience, American College of Health Care Administrators interim CEO Sharon Colling’s connection is different than most.
SNFs embrace bundled pay
By
Amy Novotney
Oct 05, 2015
Many healthcare providers are willing to accept bundled payments from Medicare well before it’s mandated, according to new data from research firm Avalere Health.
Risky business: Program lets provider sell health insurance
By
Amy Novotney
Oct 05, 2015
This month, one of the country’s largest skilled nursing facility operators will begin offering its Kentucky-based members health insurance.
Ask the Payment Expert about… bundled payments
By
Patricia Boyer
Oct 05, 2015
Is it true that hospitals may be able to send patients to us following joint replacement surgery without a three-day hospital stay?
Post-acute push saves $411 million: feds
By
Oct 05, 2015
Medicare accountable care organizations saved the federal government more than $411 million in 2014, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.