The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Policy

What the proposed 2016 budget would mean for senior living

The 2016 federal budget announced by President Barack Obama on Monday is a mixed bag for senior housing and services providers, according to several organizations representing them. Read More »

2016 federal budget aligns with goals of White House Conference on Aging, Super says

The focus areas of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging mesh well with the goals of the 2016 federal budget proposed Feb. 2 by President Barack Obama, the conference’s executive director says. Read More »

Software tracks facility progress in CMS’ 5-star ratings

Using business intelligence and data analytics can help track an organization's progress or gaps in the CMS star ratings program.  Read More »

LeadingAge to honor ‘Dear Abby’

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 »

CBO releases budget projections, including those for Medicare

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office projects future spending for Medicare and other federal programs. Read More »

AMDA suggests White House Conference on Aging topics

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 »

HHS to shift payment from volume to value

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 »

One-on-one with…Gary Glazner

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 »

Affordable Care Act could lead to lower Medicare spending

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 »

CMS should revise therapy payments: report

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 »

MedPAC comments on proposed CMS quality measures

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 »

Looking for a miracle

Will the new Congress finally fix the SGR—and therapy caps? How will the costs of reforms be covered?  Read More »

ALFA, GSA respond to president’s speech

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 »

OIG recommends 5 changes to Medicare hospice payment system

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 »

CMS chief to resign in February

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Marilyn B. Tavenner will leave her position in February, according to media reports. Read More »

A milestone year for Medicare, Medicaid, Older Americans Act, Social Security

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 »

Reintroduced bill ties 3-day stay waiver to Nursing Home Compare program

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 »

Court rules against minimum wage, overtime for home care workers

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 »

White House Conference on Aging plans 5 regional forums

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 »

AHCA launches campaign for permanent SGR fix

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 »

Mourning the passing of the New Old Age blog

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 »

The move to improve hand hygiene compliance

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 »

The vendor discount dilemma

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 »

What the ‘cromnibus’ means for healthcare

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 »

MedPAC’s site-neutral payment recommendation draws criticism

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 a growing force in post-acute care

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 »

Rebasing impact report concerns home health group

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 »

Home care ruling draws cheers and jeers

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 »

Medical device IDs aimed at improving patient safety

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 »

Challenges to Medicare, Medicaid ahead

A recent congressional hearing is precursor as to what lies ahead for Medicare and Medicaid in reform efforts to reduce costs. Read More »