Policy

Who should do medication reconciliation safety: RNs, LPN or both?

Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have different skills and work processes when it comes to medication reconciliation, say researchers at the University of Missouri. Read More »

Congress to consider VA provider agreement legislation

Will veterans soon be able to obtain care from non-VA LTC facilities? Long-Term Living's Washington reporter Bob Gatty takes a look at the proposed care model. Read More »

AADNS names Grachek and Hurley to exec team of new DON association

The two leaders will bring experience from ACHCA and the National Gerontological Nurses Association to the new director of nursing services association launching in the spring as a sister-association of AANAC. Read More »

AGS studies person-centered care definitions, quality scope

What does “person-centered care” entail? The American Geriatrics Society teamed up with The SCAN Foundation and the University of Southern California to research the definitions and quality scope of healthcare that is focused on the person and not on the condition. Read More »

$5M lawsuit filed in Ga. retirement community fire

The legal troubles continue over the June fire at Marshall Square Retirement Community, Evans, Ga., which killed one resident and displaced more than 80, as a new lawsuit alleges flawed management and a dangerous "shelter in place" policy. Read More »

NCAL names new CEAL board chair

The organization elects its director of workforce and quality improvement to the Center for Excellence in Assisted Living board helm. Read More »

In memoriam: Robert N. Mayer, healthcare visionary and philanthropist

Mayer, the founder and president of the Hulda B. & Maurice L. Rothschild Foundation, served as a healthcare and aging services advocate for more than 20 years. Read More »

National health spending picks up steam

The national healthcare spending growth rate has accelerated for the first time after five years of sluggish growth, according to new annual data from CMS. Read More »

Why aren’t Californians connecting with MediConnect?

The opt-out rate for California’s new pilot program for dual-eligibles is so high the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research just got a massive grant to study why. Read More »

Texas ALF settles fire sprinkler suit

The owners of a Fort Worth, Texas assisted living complex learn the cost of sprinkler system violations. Read More »

Connecticut to require comprehensive employee background check for long-term care facilities

The state Department of Public Health launched an applicant background check Web portal designed to protect residents and help long-term care providers identify offenders who might not be suited to work at their facilities. Read More »

CMS gets to work on new value-based fee structure

Now that the SGR is history, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is tackling the new value-based payment model. Leading long-term care organizations are playing important roles in advising the new policies. Read More »

Study: More insurance options can improve long-term services and supports

A new study sponsored by LeadingAge, The SCAN Foundation and AARP found the number of Americans who need long-term help with daily activities will more than double by 2055. New insurance options are needed to pay for increasing costs.  Read More »

CA advocates sue to stop illegal unloading of nursing home residents

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform and three nursing home residents have filed a lawsuit against the state saying it is allegedly illegally allowing residents to be "dumped" from nursing homes to hospitals. Read More »

Office of Inspector General plans to crack down on fraud and cut costs

The OIG released its Work Plan for fiscal year 2016. Long-term care providers can expect reviews of claims and payment documentation as well as consolidated equipment and pharmaceutical purchases. Read More »

New budget includes significant increases for OSHA violations

The new budget signed this week includes hefty increases in fines for occupational  (OSHA) violations Read More »

Skilled nursing facility provider accused of falsifying Medicare claims

Department of Justice intervenes in three separate lawsuits alleging SavaSeniorCare provided unnecessary therapy treatment and delayed discharges to increase Medicare payments to help meet unrealistic corporate financial goals. Read More »

LeadingAge changes the name “CCRC” to reflect today’s senior values

LeadingAge is getting rid of the clunky term "continuing care retirement community," saying it's outdated and no longer reflects what seniors want or how they view themselves. A new term for the category is far better, leaders at the annual conference say. Read More »

CMS issues proposed rule for patient preferences in discharge summaries

The proposal would affect long-term care hospitals, inpatient facilities and home health agencies that participate in CMS reimbursement programs. Read More »

UPDATE U.S. Senate passes budget bill to avert shutdown, keep 2% Medicare cuts

With Senate passage, the bill retains the reimbursement cuts created by the sequstration in 2011. Read More »

Budget deal could include 2% Medicare cuts

Congressional and White House leaders reached a late-night federal budget deal that would include across-the-board 2-percent Medicare cuts. Read More »

Psychologists charged in $25 million Medicare fraud scheme

Two psychologists have been charged with billing Medicare for unnecessary, or never performed, psychological tests and services to nursing home residents. Read More »

Fight brewing over proposed CMS arbitration rule

The long-term care industry argues that the CMS arbitration rule goes too far; state attorneys general seek an outright ban. Read More »

HHS Alzheimer’s Advisory Council welcomes six new members

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care and Services announced its new members this week. The council advises the HHS secretary on federal programs for people who have Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Read More »

National hospice provider found guilty of filing false claims

The Department of Justice is expected to seek more than $202 million in Medicare reimbursement, fines and other penalties in the largest-ever whistleblower lawsuit involving a hospice care provider. The second phase of the trial against AsercaCare is scheduled to begin next week.  Read More »

Parkinson’s research: Summer Student Fellowships announced

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation and the American Parkinson's Disease Association announce new fellowships that provide opportunities for medical students to participate in Parkinson’s research. Read More »

CMS launches ACO kidney dialysis model

The new accountable care organization model creates a shared-cost program for end-stage renal disease. Read More »

Report: New regs are a bitter pill for LTC pharmacies

Long-term care pharmacies provide crucial senior-specific medication management services to skilled nursing facilities. But will the current regulatory environment drive independent LTC pharmacies out of business? Read More »

Former assisted living CEO ordered to pay $4.2M in occupancy fraud case

Former Assisted Living Concepts CEO Laurie Bebo was convicted of multiple violations of securities laws. Read More »

Mastering the new SNF regs to maximize reimbursement

The new skilled nursing facility regulations under the IMPACT Act are coming. Has your facility adopted the best processes and attitudes to maximize reimbursement? Policy experts explain why sticking to the old status quo on processes won't be good enough. Read More »