How would you like to spend some ‘quality time’ with CMS?
By
John O'Connor
Sep 24, 2018
First it was staffing data, could Uncle Sam be after providers for quality data next? One Senator might be after just that.
Political grandstanding hurting long-term care again
By
Brendan Williams
Jun 04, 2018
It is regrettable that 17 state attorneys general are grandstanding by demanding that federal officials impose stricter nursing home regulation and sanctions. Their letter shows no real understanding of...
Five-Star is anything but frozen
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 13, 2017
The day after Thanksgiving, CMS further defined its intensions with the Five-Star Quality Rating System; more specifically how the new survey process and derivative data will be used in its calculation...
Antibiotics in LTC: Changing from ‘Just in case’ to ‘Only when needed’
By
Philip D. Sloane, M.D., MPH and Sheryl Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Mar 01, 2017
Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, the most common cause of death was infection. There was no good treatment for pneumonia, complications of urine or ear infections were common, and many people died...
Debating the obscure parts of the final rule
Sep 30, 2016
If misery loves company, take comfort in knowing many of your long-term care colleagues are doing the same thing this week.
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.
CMS sneaks a trick in with its treats
By
Steven Littlehale
Oct 21, 2015
With so many regulatory changes kicking in on Oct. 1, it’s no wonder providers were likely too distracted to notice the latest “trick” by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Defeat the plague of improper claims
By
Kristin Walter
Apr 17, 2015
For recovery auditing professionals everywhere, performance-based payments are a financial best practice and the industry standard. The client wins when no upfront expenses occur and payments are made...
Where were YOU when CMS changed the Five-Star rating system?
By
Steven Littlehale
Mar 20, 2015
Some things will always stay etched in our mind. Where were you on February 12, when CMS publicly announced immediate changes to the Five Star Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes?
Stakeholders need to prepare for the loss of long-term care’s exemption to e-prescribing
By
Cynthia Morton
Sep 15, 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is set to lift long-term care’s exemption from its e-prescribing rule as of Nov. 1. This is bigger news than most realize right now, and there has been...