New York pushes back against home-care benefits rule
Jan 27, 2009
The state of New York is urging the Obama administration to overturn a rule that denies couples receiving home care the same financial rights as those in nursing homes.
Initial results of five-star ratings: Nonprofit nursing homes deliver better care, analysis shows
Dec 19, 2008
Nonprofit nursing homes provide a higher quality of care than for-profit facilities, according to an analysis by USA Today of the first ratings of nursing homes by the government’s five-star rating...
Five-star nursing home rating system kicks off with controversy
Dec 18, 2008
The head of one provider organization reacted negatively Wednesday to the way the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has handled the launch of a new five-star rating system for nursing homes. The...
CMS asks 30,000 Medicare providers to take part in survey
Dec 17, 2008
The fourth annual Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services healthcare provider satisfaction survey is on its way, the agency announced Tuesday.
Nursing homes to be notified of initial ‘five-star’ ratings starting Monday
Dec 12, 2008
Nursing home operators on Monday will begin receiving advance notice of their first ratings in federal regulators’ new “five-star” system, officials said during a conference call Thursday.
FDA shoots down prospect of Medicare-covered gun for seniors
Dec 10, 2008
A single-shot pistol designed for seniors and those with disabilities does not qualify as a medical device, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday. That ended speculation that Medicare might cover...
Medicare payments to nursing facilities may stay same in FY 2010
Dec 08, 2008
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) may recommend to Congress that skilled nursing facilities not receive a Medicare payment update in fiscal year 2010.
AHCA pressures CMS, lawmakers to wait on ‘five-star’ rating system
Nov 25, 2008
The pending “five-star” nursing home rating system should be delayed because it would not accurately reflect the quality of the nation’s nursing homes, the American Health Care Association...
State Medicaid directors ask for delay of new coding system
Oct 28, 2008
Medicaid directors nationwide have called for a delay in the implementation of a new coding system for health claims from 2011 to 2013.
Attorney General says more cameras will be hidden in nursing homes
Oct 23, 2008
New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is expanding his practice of installing hidden cameras in nursing homes to include facilities in western New York, according to local news outlets.