While LGBT couples are celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision that they should receive the same rights and benefits as straight married couples, they might not be too happy with some of the financials. Read More »
As the Fair Labor Standards Act turns 75, a large segment of long-term care’s workforce is the subject of debate concerning minimum wage and overtime laws. Will federal efforts to provide minimum wage and overtime protection undermine a home health agency's core business? Read More »
The Department of Health and Human Services launches a completely redesigned website ready to answer questions and assist in planning for this fall’s switch to the Health Insurance Marketplace (formerly Health Insurance Exchange). Read More »
A serious fall at home can have far-reaching consequences to a senior’s quality of life. A government-funded study will look into ways to reduce or prevent the instances of debilitating falls in community-dwelling seniors. Long-term care providers are asked to help. Read More »
CMS’ plans for payment reform designed to cut costs in the post-acute sector for the FY2014 budget may be a cause of concern for the long-term care industry. Read More »
Even people with criminal histories grow old; others have served their time and need to work. Caroline Berdzik, Esq, offers some tips to follow in this tricky situation. Read More »
When the CLASS Act was kicked off the “fiscal cliff,” Congress established the Commission on Long-Term Care to serve in its stead. With a six-month lifespan, is the Commission a boon or a boondoggle? Read More »
Were the residents' eggs served runny or undercooked? Ambiguity in language convinces an Appeals Court to reverse a noncompliance ruling in a recent case where CMS had accused a nursing home of poor food preparation. Read More »
CMS administrator Marilyn Tavenner launches another effort to identify and prevent Medicare fraud, waste and abuse by using seniors as the agency's "eyes and ears." Read More »
Those who have difficulty affording their medications may alter their doseage, skip doses or never fill the prescription at all--increasing the risk of a trip to the ER. Read More »
No federal training standards exist for personal care aides employed through publicly funded programs. A new report takes a state-by-state look at the inconsistencies of education for these direct-care workers. Read More »
To help defray long-term care costs, Texas seniors about to apply for Medicaid can cash in their life insurance policies to cover the costs of long-term care. Read More »
The new American Health Care Association will be a major force in Washington as it focuses on the challenges and issues of providing long-term care for America’s millions of elderly persons. Read More »
New CMS guidelines take a deeper look at discharge planning, clarifying who is responsible for what at the time of discharge and why discharge planning is a key to reducing 30-day readmissions. Read More »
Earlier this month, long-term care leaders briefed Congress on the positive accomplishments and future goals to improving quality of care in skilled nursing facilities. Read More »
CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announces a significantly smaller and more-focused project list for Round Two of the funding awards. Read More »
While quality and satisfaction scores have improved, skilled nursing facilities need to continue to improve and adapt to government policy and reimbursement cuts to survive. Read More »
Every country in the world--from Argentina to Zimbabwe--is confronted with the problem of caring for its elderly and paying for that care. Here's a firsthand look at how senior care is provided at a facility in France. Read More »
CMS publishes proposals for changes to FY 2014 payment rates, quality data collection and reporting requirements, and qualification criteria for long-term care providers in the Federal Register. Read More »
Who is entitled to access a deceased person’s protected health information? In Florida, the state’s law allows access to a range of unauthorized representatives. Read More »
Vitas Hospice Services is charged by DOJ with engaging in business practices that resulted in inappropriate patient admissions and upcoded claims submissions to Medicare. Read More »
Bed rails are supposed to keep residents safe, but some advocates say stricter standards are needed to keep them from doing more harm than good. Read More »
Alleged poor quality charges are landing providers in the poorhouse. A look at cases based on poor quality of care and the subsequent verdicts handed down. Read More »
