Trump’s CMS pick can expect tough choices: predecessors
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 06, 2017
President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Seema Verma, was praised by providers. But she will face tough choices immediately, a previous CMS administrator...
‘Found’ funds earn a rebuke
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 01, 2012
A former top regulator scolded long-term care lobbyists before a crowd of nearly 2,000 influential investors and providers recently.
Observation stay victory
By
James M. Berklan
May 01, 2020
A Connecticut federal appeals court granted certain hospital patients the right to appeal “observation stay” designations in a ruling that many hope will lead to greater access to Medicare-covered...
Wider vaccine mandate afoot
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 01, 2021
The Biden administration raised the stakes significantly in August, first announcing that nursing homes would need to have staff members fully vaccinated to receive Medicaid or Medicare funding, and three...
MedPAC backing pay transition
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 08, 2018
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission members are on board with a plan to transition to a new Medicare payment system over a two-year span. The new post-acute payment system would begin in 2019 and merge...
Painkiller distribution could be curtailed
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 02, 2013
An advisory panel has recommended making it more difficult for long-term care residents and others to receive certain painkillers. Providers criticize the proposal, saying it could leave seniors suffering...
Lawmakers take aim at arbitration pacts
By
James M. Berklan
May 01, 2008
A new Senate bill seeks to eliminate providers’ ability to bind residents to pre-dispute arbitration agreements.