The Medicare program just marked its 47th anniversary. Whether that milestone is a cause for celebration or concern is open to debate.
Senators demand more data on Medicare fraud prevention efforts
By
McKnight's Staff
Aug 01, 2012
A multimillion dollar Medicare fraud-fighting command center unveiled by the federal government a week ago is already drawing fire from two Republican lawmakers.
States ultimately will opt into Medicaid expansion: CMS official
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 31, 2012
All states will eventually participate in the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion once governors weigh its costs against its benefits, a top Medicaid official predicted Monday.
New health law cutting drug costs?
By
McKnight's Staff
Aug 01, 2012
Senior citizens have saved $4 billion on prescription drugs since the Affordable Care Act was implemented, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In the first half of this year alone,...
Breaches of basic infection control practices — why?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jul 30, 2012
Basic infection prevention and control isn’t rocket science. It is essentially following some general guidelines. Some of them pretty simplistic. Not too hard right? You would think, but …
Federal officials announced two updated quality indicator submission requirements for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) on Thursday.
Hospices see Medicare payment increase
Jul 26, 2012
Medicare payments to hospice providers had a slight boost in 2013, according to a regulator notice released Tuesday. These providers also should be preparing to report quality data and additional diagnosis...
iPods coming to an eldercare facility near you
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 26, 2012
When I first spoke with Music & Memory founder Dan Cohen last year, he had big plans for his new program that would put iPods with personalized playlists in Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients’...
Hospital readmission rates plateau, provide SNFs with opportunity
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 20, 2012
With penalties for preventable hospital readmissions looming, recently released Medicare data shows that U.S. hospitals aren’t making much progress in lowering readmission rates.
CMS official responds to criticism of pilot programs for dual eligibles
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 19, 2012
A federal official defended government demonstration programs that coordinate care for dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in a Senate hearing Wednesday.