Every fall, healthcare professionals anxiously await the release of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule, which outlines policy changes for Medicare payments under the PFS and updates to...
Engaging PALTC experts in policy decisions
By
Michael Wasserman
Sep 11, 2024
State and county public health departments across the country became acutely aware of how little they knew about the long-term care continuum in March 2020. The challenges linked to the coordination...
Do CMS’s minimum staffing requirements align with Five-Star metrics? A closer look
By
Steven Littlehale
Aug 16, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of skilled nursing facilities, staffing requirements remain a focal point of discussion and debate. With the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services setting forth...
Former CMS administrator scolds long-term care providers — but he has it all wrong!
By
Steve Moran
Oct 01, 2012
Former CMS chief Tom Scully is off-base in his chastisement of the long-term care industry.
A monster final rule with MDS teeth
By
Joel VanEaton
Aug 06, 2024
I recently spent a relaxing week’s vacation at the beach. I’m not a, “sit on the beach and worship the sun” kind of guy. I’m of Irish descent and, unfortunately, my fair skin is sun...
A new anti-bullying campaign?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Aug 02, 2022
You see them everywhere. Anti-bullying campaigns. People are bullied for just about anything. For looking different, for different beliefs, for sexual orientations, for race, creed, color, religion, etc. ...
Are you compliant? Up to date vs. fully vaccinated
By
Norris Cunningham
Angela Rinehart
Jun 27, 2022
Remember the confusion over who was eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and when? Remember the confusion over the COVID-19 vaccine mandates? Remember the confusion over the approval for the COVID-19 booster...
Suspend the suspenders: Tackling dressing ‘old’ at school
By
Kelly Papa
Mar 06, 2019
I know there are some who feel like this is just a silly experience. But the symbolic interaction will teach these 5- and 6-year-olds that being 100 years old is to be mocked and useless.
Final rule for joint replacement: Don’t come unhinged!
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 20, 2016
The first mandatory bundled payment program was set into motion with the publication of the Final Rule on Comprehensive Care for Lower Extremity Joint Replacement (CJR). The implementation date is now...
GDRs, antipsychotics and PRNs, Oh My!
By
Randy Beckett
Jun 18, 2018
With off-label antipsychotic use dangerously high in U.S. nursing homes as reported by Human Rights Watch, a question undoubtedly on the tip of everyone’s tongue is “How do we fix this?”...