The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Policy

SNF surveys: Do they tell the whole story?

Nursing home consumers—residents and their families—say the survey process has flaws that need to be addressed, according to a new report from the Coalition for Quality Care. Read More »

One-on-one with… Peter Reed

Peter Reed, PhD, CEO of Pioneer Network, spoke with Long-Term Living about the roots of culture change and today's campaign against ageism. How far has person-centered care come and what still needs to be done? Read More »

CMS: Penalties are working to reduce hospital readmissions

New data on hospital readmission shows that healthcare reform is making an impact--changing the rates for the first time in five years, says CMS. Read More »

Calif. plans 85% increase in LTC insurance rates for public employees

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the country's third-largest health benefits purchaser,  dropped a bombshell on its long-term care policyholders—switch LTC policies or deal with a massive rate increase. Read More »

Iowa grapples with providing LTC for sex offenders

Everyone ages…even criminals and sex offenders. Specialized senior populations are adding new wrinkles to the fabric of long-term care. Read More »

Report details 10 states facing greatest impact from SNF Medicare cuts

With the clock ticking on March 1 Medicare cuts to nursing homes resulting from the onset of the federal Budget Relief Act's sequester provision, the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care on Wednesday released a state "Top Ten List" detailing the Medicare cut total to state nursing homes, their residents and their workforce. Read More »

OIG: Nursing homes provide ‘criminally poor care,’ fail on care plans

A new report from the Office of Inspector General accuses skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) of misusing their Medicare payments, since more than one-third of SNFs don’t fulfill—or even create—the care plans and discharge goals required for their residents. Read More »

N.J.’s Gov. Christie joins GOPs reconsidering Medicaid expansion

N.J.’s Gov. Chris Christie is the latest republican governor to change his mind about expanding the state Medicaid program. Read More »

C. Everett Koop dies at 96

Widely recognized by his bushy beard and somber uniform, former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop became a household name for his anti-smoking campaign. Read More »

LTC group praises bill addressing hospital observation stays

The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care (AQNHC) on Monday praised the introduction of New York Senator Chuck Schumer's (D-NY) bill, the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act, which changes Medicare law to permit nursing home residents access to skilled nursing care after hospital “observation stays.” Read More »

The SCOOTER Store is back on the hot seat

A popular provider of power chairs gets a visit from federal agents in a new Medicare fraud investigation. Read More »

Florida looks to redefine assisted living

The conventional understanding of the assisted living category of senior care is just that—senior care—without a clear explanation of the populations served. Read More »

Final rule implements 5 key provisions of the ACA

Under the reforms, all individuals and employers have the right to purchase health insurance coverage regardless of health status. Read More »

Therapy caps: Unraveling the spider’s web for long-term care

How many of your residents are on track to exceed the $1,900 payment cap on physical or occupational therapies? We examine the current therapy cap situation, and why it's such a challenge for long-term and post-acute care. Read More »

Fla. governor reverses stance, now supports Medicaid expansion

Florida’s governor, once one of the loudest voices against “ObamaCare,” has done a policy about-face and now supports limited Medicaid expansion in the state. Read More »

CMS proposes lower Part D deductibles, slashed insurer payments for Medicare Advantage plans

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released its proposals for rate and payment changes for 2014. Seniors may be happy about the Part D drug changes, but insurers aren't as pleased with their end of deal. Read More »

LTC industry faces cascade of spending cuts; thousands of jobs in jeopardy

Some $85 billion in across-the-board cuts in federal programs are expected to take place between March 1 and September 30 unless Congress, with some form of last minute heroics, can cut a deal to avoid those reductions, mandated by law, from being imposed. Read More »

Pope’s resignation puts spotlight on aging and ageism

The stunning news earlier this week that Pope Benedict XVI was stepping down as leader of the Catholic Church put all the complicated and often confounding issues surrounding aging in a global spotlight. Read More »

Obama promotes value-based purchasing, Medicare rule changes in State of the Union address

President Barack Obama addressed challenges and opportunities facing the federal Medicare program, citing value-based purchasing in particular as an important change to the U.S. healthcare system, as well as proposing changes in pharmaceutical policy and in Medicare rules for wealthy seniors. Read More »

GOP appoints first members to LTC commission

The new congressional commission on long-term care is slowly forming, as Republicans add two members to the bipartisan group. Read More »

Report: Location plays a role in readmission rates

Hospitals made little progress on hospital readmission rates between 2008 and 2010, and some regions have far more readmissions than the national average. Read More »

Report: Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control program shows record recovery

The government’s healthcare fraud prevention and enforcement efforts recovered $4.2 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, up from nearly $4.1 billion in FY 2011, from individuals and companies that attempted to defraud federal health programs. Read More »

Three appointees to the Commission on Long-Term Care announced

New trio of commissioners brings a wealth of experience to addressing the serious issues of services and supports for seniors and others with disabilities across the healthcare continuum. Read More »

Tavenner renominated to head CMS

The Obama administration on Thursday renominated Marilyn Tavenner to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Read More »

CMS to develop new record system for LTC hospitals

A new reporting system, created by CMS, will enable long-term care hospitals to provide more complete and accurate data on the quality of care their patients receive. Read More »

CBO: 4 to 7 million workers may lose job-based health insurance

The Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday released dismal statistics on how many employers may stop offering health benefits because of the new employer-based health plan rules. Read More »

CBO lowers 10-year Medicare, Medicaid spending projections

The Congressional Budget Office lowered spending expectations for Medicare and Medicaid for 2013-2023, according to a report released Tuesday. Read More »

CMS cleans up guidelines on laundry and infection control

Modern detergents and new laundering technologies have prompted the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services to revise the laundry notes under F tag 411. Read More »

CMS mandates greater disclosure on provider/manufacturer relationships

How much do you know about your GPO? CMS has instituted stricter disclosure rules pertaining to the financial relationships between providers and drug and device manufacturers. Read More »

Administration expands opt-out for ACA contraceptives mandate

The Obama Administration on Friday said it would seek public comment on a new "opt-out" provision that is designed to meet the concerns of faith-based opponents to the earlier contraceptive mandate proposed for the ACA. Read More »