The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

Policy

Pew releases database of state Medicaid anti-fraud strategies

The Affordable Care Act requires states to have policies to combat fraud, but each state can choose how to do it. A new database shows what each state is doing to combat Medicaid fraud on their home turf. Read More »

Got checks? Feds mark 30-day countdown to paperless benefit payments

Anyone who receives any federal benefits—from Social Security to VA benefits—must switch to electronic payments by March 1. Read More »

Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day

For the first time, rheumatoid arthritis will take the healthcare spotlight in a day of education. It is a devastating disease that can afflict both the young and old. Read More »

CMS announces test sites for bundled payment program

Hundreds of provider sites are ready to test the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ four new models for restructuring the way episodes of care are paid for. Read More »

HHS translates healthcare insurance exchanges for clarity

State-based health insurance exchanges, already battered by state resistance and party-line politics, have one more hurdle to overcome. Read More »

Durable medical equipment providers attract OIG’s fraud spotlight

Although therapy billing has taken a lot of the heat lately in CMS’ hunt for fradulent billing practices, the next big target might be something more durable. Read More »

LTC ombudsmen face challenges to autonomy

A new report finds that an ombudsman’s ability and freedom to represent elders and people with disabilities is curtailed by some state governments. Read More »

Senate committee compares international approaches to Alzheimer’s and dementia

The United States is not alone in confronting and caring for the increasing numbers of people with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias. Read More »

Most Americans oppose Medicare cuts, according to poll

While most Americans say that Washington should act quickly to bring down the deficit, there is little public support for major reductions in federal spending on Medicare, according to the results of a national poll. Read More »

President Obama mentions Medicare and Medicaid in his second inaugural speech

President Obama touched on Medicare and Medicaid in his second inaugural address on Jan. 21, in a speech with a strong focus on unity among Americans and with a heavy emphasis on social progress. Read More »

New HIPAA rule expands liability for healthcare providers and business partners

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday issued a final “omnibus” rule, expanding the direct liability of contractors and subcontractors of healthcare providers, plans and insurers that violate patient privacy. Read More »

Treasury Department urges direct deposit of federal benefit checks

The end of the paper trail for Social Security checks is near as the March 31, 2013 deadline for enrolling for a direct deposit to a bank account or debit card approaches. Read More »

Washington budget fight has LTC industry fretting over more cuts

The fiscal cliff battle is behind us, but the nation is heading to another possible financial crisis caused largely by politics, and the nursing home sector—and their residents—could well be caught in the middle. Read More »

OIG widens crackdown on hospices

Another hospice gets a federal audit as the Office of Inspector General increases investigations at hospices across the country. Read More »

Skilled nursing care faces more Medicare cuts

Over the next 10 years, SNFs will face $65 billion in Medicare cuts. Have they been pushed off the fiscal cliff as Medicare payments continue to be reduced for skilled care? Read More »

HHS extends filing deadline for state insurance exchanges

While the original filing deadline has passed, states have been given another extension for compliance with Obamacare’s health insurance exchange mandate. Read More »

MedPAC to Congress: Renew Medicare’s special needs plans for long-term care

MedPAC recommends that Congress vote to keep the special needs plans under Medicare Advantage, although some of the plans perform better than others. Read More »

CMS doubles number of ACOs, releases new report on ACO impact

Another 106 provider organizations make the CMS list of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), bringing the number of covered beneficiaries to more than 4 million. Read More »

Hospice hit with $50K fine for data breach

Think your LTC facility is too small for privacy and security authorities to come after you for data breaches? Think again. Read More »

The Joint Commission issues revised rules for LTC accreditation

The Joint Commission has revised its skilled nursing and rehabilitation accreditation standards, and now offers specialty services facilities a new way to certify their expertise. Read More »

A waiting game for Medicaid reimbursements in Illinois

A prolonged wait for state Medicaid reimbursement can place a long-term care organization in financial jeopardy. Read More »

Telehealth bill proposes higher federal payments, less restrictions

Congress is considering new legislation that would erase many of the barriers to telehealth adoption and create better incentives for providers. Read More »

And we’re off!

As my long-term care administrator and clinician friends and colleagues know, there’s rarely true respite from the unrelenting demands of the healthcare industry. And as if you didn’t have enough work-related issues on your plate, 2013 has kicked off with a political and regulatory bang. Read More »

SNF group promotes patient-driven post-acute care reform

 The “fiscal cliff” has been averted but post-acute care still faces Medicare challenges. Read More »

Legislation averts ‘fiscal cliff’, LTC provider group reacts

Legislation averts the “fiscal cliff,” but several budget-making hurdles remain on the horizon. Read More »

New Chinese law: Visit your elderly parents—or else

“Respecting your elders” has gained a new meaning in China, where the national elder law has been amended to allow elders to sue their children for not taking care of them. Read More »

Enrollment policies restrict access to hospice care

Results from a national survey indicate that enrollment criteria contributes to underuse of hospice services. Read More »

Obama, Senators set 11th-hour fiscal cliff meeting

No one’s sure what key bargaining chips will be in play at today’s 3 p.m. meeting between President Obama and congressional leaders, but raising the Medicare age isn’t going to be one of them, according to a key Democratic Senator. Read More »

CDC: Make brain health a national priority

Placing brain health among the current national health priorities--like diabetes and heart disease--can give cognitive health the attention and respect it needs to foster awareness and better prevention habits, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Health Brain Initiative. Read More »

Top 10 LTC news stories of 2012

The long-term care industry was buffeted by forceful winds of change in 2012. Regulatory, political, economic and societal transitions tested providers’ mettle as the LTC landscape struggles to evolve and adapt. Technological advances and an improving senior housing market were bright spots in a busy news year. Read More »