Saying ‘yes’ to nursing homes and ‘no’ to healthcare reform
By
Liza Berger
Jun 11, 2010
Some of nursing homes’ heartiest advocates on Capitol Hill are against the healthcare reform law. Three such lawmakers addressed members at the American Health Care Association’s annual briefing...
Nursing homes facing major challenges to Medicaid, Medicare, Yarwood says
Oct 06, 2009
Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association, Monday likened the problems facing long-term care to a “tsunami.”
Tough times for long-term care
By
Liza Berger
Oct 07, 2009
Could things get any gloomier? I hate to be a pessimist, but when you look at the landscape–from Medicare and Medicaid cuts to the shortcomings of the Five-Star Quality Rating System–the hits...
The Five Star Report, once again, in the SNF spotlight
By
Steven Littlehale
Sep 24, 2014
The Five Star Quality Rating System takes the spotlight on the front page of the New York Times and the top of the news cycle, kicking off other publicity and political pressure. Regardless of any of the...
CMS remains positive about Five-Star rating system despite criticism from attorneys general
Sep 03, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services responded to a letter from 31 of the nation’s state attorneys general who criticized the nursing home Five-Star Quality Rating System. In a statement,...
Revamping CMS survey data integration amid regulatory lag in nursing home oversight
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 08, 2023
The report titled “Uninspected and Neglected” by the majority staff of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging brings attention to a pressing issue: the severe understaffing of inspection agencies...
Five-Star insights: Will those stars ever illuminate your path?
By
Steven Littlehale
May 16, 2012
I recently asked a hospital discharge planner how she chooses which nursing home to discharge to. “Five-Star” was the reply. Was I surprised? Not at all. Once again, it demonstrates just how...
Data lapses did not affect Five-Star ratings, CMS says as providers call for review of agency’s...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 13, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Wednesday it was taking “seriously” a damning report that questioned the accuracy of information it posted on its Care Compare site, but added that...
Post-acute payment bundling system appears ominous
By
Liza Berger
May 21, 2009
Nursing homes have cause to worry about the prospect of a Medicare post-acute payment bundling system. If it pans out, facilities may end up on the losing side of the equation. That is just one of my takeaways...
CMS to begin audits for schizophrenia coding, says citations will affect quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2023
The agency will start auditing nursing homes this month to determine whether residents’ schizophrenia diagnoses are accurate and appropriately coded. A pattern of inaccurate coding may result in a quality...