In a statement issued April 30th, President Trump reiterated his support for the nation's seniors and announced new COVID-related protection measures. Read More »
A key component of active implementation of the final rule is for all staff to be trained and participating in Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities — a paradigm shift for some nursing homes. Read More »
Congress recessed for the final holiday of 2017 without addressing the current Medicare therapy cap exceptions process, set to expire on December 31. Without the exceptions process or an alternative, therapists will not be allowed to provide services above the therapy cap in 2018. Read More »
Residents, ombudsman, associations and consumer advocates are raising their voice about a growing number of allegedly improper evictions and discharges. Read More »
Medicare fraud squads are closing out 2017 by catching a wide range of health service providers in the crosshairs of crime, including several cases of opioid-related fraud. Read More »
The FoundationOne CDx (F1CDx) is a diagnostic test that can detect gene mutations for cancer, and its potential to help patients has spurred the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to pay for qualifying beneficiaries to be screened. Read More »
The web-accessible version of the CMS Measures Inventory Tool (CMIT) will make it easier for providers to track their quality measures across the care continuum. Read More »
The tax deduction for medical expenses is on the chopping block in the Trump Administration’s new tax reform bill, an elimination that could seriously hurt all seniors, especially those with dementia. Read More »
An immediate jeopardy deficiency can cost providers dearly in finances and reputation. But what if it’s not true? Legal expert Alan C. Horowitz discusses a recent case where the provider challenged CMS over nearly $1 million in fines—and won. Read More »
As the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services steps down amid scandal over the use of travel funds, how will it affect the swirl of unsolved healthcare issues? Read More »
An analysis of Nusing Home Compare shows cuts to Medicaid could harm the poorest residents and lowest-rated facilities that will have to do more with less. That could cost the government even more. Read More »
CMS Administrator Seema Verma has announced the dawn of big changes at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). What will happen to all the bundled payment projects? Read More »
Much like the Nursing Home Compare site for skilled nursing facilities, the new data comparison tool will allow consumers to see quality measures data on hospice and palliative care providers. Read More »
The Senate has voted 51-49 to keep the Affordable Care Act law the way it is—for now. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says it’s time to “move on.” Read More »
July has been a record-breaking month for the Department of Justice’s fraud squad, which orchestrated a 30-state takedown totaling $1.3 billion in fraudulent or illegal activities. Read More »
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office found one-quarter of reviewed plans had disproportionality high numbers of sicker people dropping out. Read More »
Blogger Kathleen Mears writes legislators about how the proposed healthcare legislation would affect her and fellow nursing home residents. Read More »
The Senate’s proposed healthcare bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, calls for deep cuts to Medicaid. The program pays for about two-thirds of the 1.4 million seniors who live in nursing homes. Read More »
The Senate’s version of healthcare reform would cut federal deficit, but also would make deep cuts to Medicaid at the federal and state levels. Read More »
Senate Republicans have finally revealed their bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. It is similar to the House version but key differences could make it a tough sell among Republicans with a razor-thin margin for passage. Read More »
How could the proposed AHCA legislation affect older adults? What could happen to Medicaid and the ability to find insurance coverage? We explain the actual CBO report section by section. Read More »
The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved the CHRONIC Care Act of 2017, which increases care delivery options for chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries. Read More »
SNF compliance and ethics programs aren’t optional anymore, and in some cases, may require additional staff roles. Are your programs survey-ready? Read More »
