LeadingAge will honor Jeanne Phillips, writer of the syndicated “Dear Abby” advice column, March 16 at its second annual Great Minds Gala in Washington, D.C. Read More »
AMDA–The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine has recommended sub-topics within three of the four previously identified areas of focus for the White House Conference on Aging. Read More »
Providers will be paid by the federal government based on care quality rather than care quantity under new, measurable goals announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Monday. Read More »
People with Alzheimer's or other dementias have found a champion in Gary Glazner, founder and executive director of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project. Blending poetry with the arts in an innovative program provides a pathway to the hearts and souls of people with memory loss. Read More »
Could the Affordable Care Act lead to changes that will affect skilled nursing, hospice and home healthcare and lower Medicare spending? Authors of a new analysis think it could. Read More »
A new report by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and the Urban Institute proposes changes to Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services payments to discourage skilled nursing facilities from “furnish[ing] therapy for financial gain.” Read More »
When it comes to quality and efficiency measures, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should focus on population-level outcome measures instead of clinical process measures, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission said in a recent letter. Read More »
The Assisted Living Federation of America and the Gerontological Society of America are calling on the federal government to remember older adults in the wake of the president's State of the Union address. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has agreed to reform its hospice payment system by taking five steps outlined in a new report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Read More »
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Marilyn B. Tavenner will leave her position in February, according to media reports. Read More »
2015 is the 50th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act and the 80th anniversary of Social Security. Provider association leaders recently discussed with Long-Term Living what needs to happen to ensure these programs' future success. Read More »
The three-day inpatient hospital stay requirement for Medicare coverage of Part A skilled nursing care benefits could be eliminated under a bill reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Read More »
Minimum wage and overtime standards will not apply to home healthcare workers hired by private agencies after a federal district court judge decision to vacate a U.S. Department of Labor rule. Read More »
The White House Conference on Aging has announced five regional forums to help gather input for the national event that will be held later this year in Washington, D.C. Read More »
The American Health Care Association has launched a campaign to educate lawmakers on the value of skilled nursing providers in advance of discussions related to the Medicare sustainable growth rate. Read More »
It’s said that “all good things must come to an end,” as Long-Term Living’s resident blogger says goodbye to a trusted friend and a reliable source of information and experience. Read More »
As the number of influenza cases increase across the country, using recommended hand hygiene protocols helps prevent the spread of flu viruses and other healthcare-associated infections. Read More »
When is a deal too good to be legal? Receiving discounts from vendors/suppliers may, in some instances, be considered "kickbacks" if you're not careful. Read More »
The $1.1 trillion spending bill approved by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama last month contains several provisions related to healthcare. Read More »
Don’t count the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation or the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association among the fans of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommendation of “site-neutral” payments for certain beneficiaries. Read More »
Managed care is a growing force that will become far more prominent in post-acute care and will exert much influence over day-to-day operations. Read More »
A rebasing impact report issued by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission suffers from data and methodologic flaws, the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare maintains. Read More »
A ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is being panned by organizations representing direct care workers and celebrated by those representing their employers. Additional action is expected Jan. 9. Read More »
Similar to the UPC bar code, Class III high-risk medical devices tagged with UDI labels will help to report, track and assess patients’ adverse events. Read More »
Tennessee will receive up to $65 million over the next two years to implement and test its State Health Care Innovation Plan, including the provision of long-term services and supports. Read More »