Although seasonal vaccinations are good preventive steps to protect seniors from various health challenges, the inoculations may have some side effects. Kathleen Mears shares her experience with the shingles vaccination. Read More »
If your facility employs 50 or fewer full-time workers, you may be interested in the results of a new study of the new Small Business Health Options Program through which companies like yours can purchase health insurance. Read More »
Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to nursing home residents' financial rights. Make sure you know your responsibilities and that residents know their rights. Read More »
Seniors with diabetes, COPD, heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease need to pay careful attention when choosing a drug coverage plan, a new study says. Read More »
A recent poll asking Americans for their opinions about the financing of long-term care revealed support of some ideas that surprised researchers. Read More »
Federal and state government officials vow to fix website and call center issues as health insurance marketplaces receive overwhelming attention from consumers on the first days of operation. Read More »
A South Carolina health system owes the government millions for fraudulent billings and violations of the Stark anti-kickback law for the way it funnelled business to its outpatient services. Read More »
Long ago, telephones were a communication/socialization device. With technologic advances, however, the once-friendly phone has become a conduit for criminals. Read More »
Core Medicare and Medicaid operations will not be affected by a federal government shutdown that began today, but a broad range of other federal operations will be affected. The Affordable Care Act itself has largely been funded already and will not be directly affected. ACA-created health insurance exchanges also are live as scheduled. Read More »
After a weekend of squabbling over the federal budget, the Senate has rejected a proposal to delay the Affordable Care Act. With the budget crisis still unsolved in the 11th hour, what would a government shutdown mean for long-term care? Read More »
When a facility shuts its doors the business suffers, the community suffers and, ultimately, the residents caught in the middle are the ones who pay the price with the stress of relocation and the uncertainty of their futures. Read More »
Farzad Mostashari, MD, has announced that Jacob Reider, MD, will take over as acting national coordinator. The ONC also announced that David Muntz has decided to step down as principal deputy national coordinator for health IT. Read More »
An alternative to fee-for-service programs may help nursing homes provide appropriate, affordable care for elderly residents with significant cognitive impairment, new research suggests. Read More »
One-third of the membership of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care say that recommendations issued by the commission Sept. 13 are not broad enough, so they have issued alternative suggestions. Meanwhile, organizations representing the long-term care industry react to the official commission report. Read More »
It’s open enrollment time again for seniors to select their Medicare supplemental health and drug plans. According to CMS, Medicare Advantage plans will see a very slight increase from 2013 premium payments. Read More »
Improved policies and payment models could see more individuals being treated in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities as the country looks for ways to reduce costs and unnecessary hospitalizations, one expert believes. Read More »
Highlights of recent updates to the RAI User’s Manual relevant to Section M: Skin Conditions and how these changes help to address the prevention and care of pressure ulcers. Read More »
Direct-care workers, previously exempt from national minimum wage and overtime laws, will now be considered the same as any other employee. Will the change in the compensation laws help or hinder the role of direct-care workers in the expanding field of home care? Read More »
Today, drugstores, supermarkets, wholesale clubs and discount stores advertise their flu, pneumonia and shingles vaccines. But, as Long-Term Living resident blogger Kathy Mears reminds us, immunization can avoid or minimize contracting a very painful case of herpes zoster, otherwise known as shingles. Read More »
The federal Commission on Long-Term Care makes headway but agrees to disagree on how to handle the financial burden of nation's long-term services and supports used by millions each day to assist with daily living. Read More »
Seniors seeking emergency department assistance within 30 days of common surgical procedures experience problems that can lead to readmission, creating a revolving door effect and a lowering of Medicare reimbursement to hospitals. Read More »
An academic powerhouse and several senior living service providers are joining forces to try to find ways to increase the quality of long-term care while decreasing unnecessary healthcare spending. Read More »
When LTC providers and state governments collaborate in performance-based initiatives, nursing homes can see an improvement in care and outcomes, according to a new study. Read More »
Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) are doing an effective job of rooting out Medicare fraud and billing errors, but federal Medicare agencies need to be more diligent about tracking cases, a new government report says. Read More »
Same-sex couples will no longer be denied visitation of a partner in a nursing home, according the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They will also have access to equal coverage in the facility where spouses live. Read More »
