Medicare would cover breakthrough technology quicker under CMS proposal
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 01, 2020
Nursing home residents would have more access to new and breakthrough technology as treatment options under a new Medicare coverage pathway proposed by the federal health officials.
Who uses the care planning code? Memory-care expert says the answer matters
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 21, 2019
A memory-care expert is the latest advocate for greater use and expansion of Medicare’s largely untapped dementia care planning benefit.
Dementia care planning benefit largely untapped: testimony
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 15, 2019
Clinicians are the key to spreading awareness of a little-used Medicare benefit that supports long-term quality of life, advocates told Congress.
Preventive steps could help offset rise in fracture-related SNF medical costs
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 13, 2019
Under-utilized prevention methods are key to containing a rise in SNF costs related to osteoporotic fractures, says the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Frailty linked to higher readmission rates for Medicare beneficiaries
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 26, 2019
Frailty is a key factor in 30-day hospital readmissions for older Medicare recipients with heart problems and pneumonia.
Millions of diabetes patients overlook Medicare’s nutrition benefits
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 11, 2019
Millions of people with diabetes or kidney disease are eligible for nutrition counseling, but few make use of it, according to a new report by KHN.
More empty beds: Medicare patients further weaken demand for skilled nursing
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 16, 2018
Medicare beneficiaries are spending fewer per-capita days in skilled nursing facilities since 2009, according to a new analysis released Thursday.
Hospital visits drop by 25%
By
Jun 05, 2017
Potentially avoidable hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries have dropped 25% since 2013, according to the “America’s Health Ranking Senior Report” from the United Health Foundation.
Largest US hospital chain to pay $98 million in observation stay case
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 06, 2014
The nation’s largest hospital organization has agreed to a $98 million settlement to resolve charges that it overbilled by admitting individuals as inpatients rather than keeping them under observation,...
Structured home care program reduced SNF stays 27%, hospital finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 06, 2014
A hospital substantially reduced Medicare costs and skilled nursing facility stays by providing more primary care in frail elders’ homes, according to study findings published in the Journal of the...