Federal report questions efficiency of required nursing hours in infection control
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 20, 2023
A new federal report calls into question whether Medicare’s required hours for registered and licensed practical nurses are adequate in helping protect nursing home residents from infections.
Inspector general will review program for poorest performing nursing homes
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 18, 2023
A federal watchdog will conduct a program-wide assessment of how regulators are pressuring poorly performing nursing homes and companies to clean up their act.
A time for providers to savor the good
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 11, 2015
It’s true that there is danger in not stopping to smell the roses. Yet, in long-term care, it’s understandable if you do just that, given how many hassles are tossed your way.
For-profit nursing homes more likely than nonprofits to bill for higher-paying RUG levels, report finds
Dec 24, 2010
For-profit nursing homes may be overbilling Medicare for the costliest services, a report released Thursday by the Office of Inspector General suggests.
Also in the News for Thursday, Feb. 17
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 17, 2022
Operators must establish new career pathways, provide more flexibility to stabilize workforce: study … Proposal would require hospitals to be notified of nursing home closures … Financial services...
Everything old is new again
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jun 06, 2011
So there I was, out having a blast on Cinco de Mayo, enjoying an “adult beverage” and some really great food with plans for NOT working for the rest of the evening, and I get an emergency text...
Also in the News for Wednesday, Oct. 17
By
Marty Stempniak
Oct 17, 2018
Guilty plea by Iowa nurse who took pain meds from nursing home lands her up to 9 years in prison … Ohio Medicaid managed care organizations paid $90M on behalf of deceased beneficiaries, OIG says …...
Ask the payment expert: How can I make sure that my Medicare claims are correct?
By
Patricia Boyer
Dec 02, 2012
I recommend every facility that gets reimbursement from Medicare complete a Medicare audit annually. You want to look at yourself the same way the government does.
CMS and providers have reason to celebrate
By
Elizabeth Newman
Sep 16, 2016
I encourage providers to pause and pat themselves on the back. That’s because 30-day hospital readmission rates have dropped in all states except one over the past five years.
Progress in trying to undo the hospital ‘observation stay’ mess
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 31, 2013
What is this world coming to? When you complain about bizarre government conditions or regulations, you usually have to assume you’re just whispering into the wind.