This time of year, I love to sit on my back porch and watch the fireflies dance in the twilight. Something from my childhood, I suppose. This year they seem particularly bright. Almost like fireworks...
CMS call takes listeners back in time for MDS compliance but offers nothing new on staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services invited the nation’s nursing home stakeholders to a conference call Thursday but played its cards close to the vest regarding its pending release of a first-ever...
Setting up for MDS 3.0 success
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 06, 2023
Are you a “New Year’s resolution” kind of person? I am not, but I am a strong believer in establishing goals and setting intentions. Whether you prefer to make a resolution or set a goal, January...
Colliding factors threaten to ‘muddy’ state Medicaid reimbursement
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 04, 2023
Several converging factors could make the next few years especially complicated for state Medicaid systems, with the potential for new cost-setting strategies to affect providers from coast-to-coast.
Days-old MDS creating chaos for some providers
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 04, 2023
Just two days into a new era in nursing home patient assessments, providers were reporting widespread struggles with an updated MDS system, observers said Tuesday.
Trick or treat? MDS changes are in the bag
By
Joel VanEaton
Oct 03, 2023
When I was a kid, I loved getting dressed up for Halloween. I remember especially a clown (funny not scary) costume I got one year. I couldn’t wait to put it on and be transformed into another world....
March, the summer solstice, and social determinants of health
By
Joel VanEaton
Mar 21, 2023
Daylight-saving time is finally here! I look forward to the day in March that it arrives starting June 21 every year. What’s June 21 you ask? Why, it’s the summer solstice. The summer solstice is...
Section D surprises! The season’s biggest change
By
Joel VanEaton
Oct 31, 2023
There has been a slogan that has circulated on social media recently that goes like this: “Fall is proof that change is beautiful.” Hmm… I suppose individual perspective is the key to whether that...