The government alleges that the drug wholesaler violated the False Claims Act by reporting inflated pricing information for a large number of prescription drugs, causing Medicaid to overpay for those drugs. Read More »
The final rule, effective June 26, continues to require that all providers and suppliers who qualify for a unique identification number—the National Provider Identifier (NPI)—include their NPI on applications to enroll in Medicare and Medicaid and on all reimbursement claims submitted. Read More »
By the end of business today, LeadingAge members will have tallied upwards of 270 congressional meetings, with representatives of 43 states in a single afternoon. Their goal is to advocate for those issues that most directly impact their organizations, residents, clients and staff. Read More »
The Affordable Care Act is projected to save Medicare more than $200 billion through 2016, according to The Medicare Trustees Report. But beyond 2024, Medicare’s solvency is in doubt. Read More »
Many LTC facilities and hospices across the nation will be affected by the Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG’s) work plan underway for 2012. Here’s an overview of key initiatives. Read More »
A report issued by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius credits the Medicare competitive bidding program for saving $202 million for people on Medicare who require durable medical equipment. Read More »
Delayed hospital discharges mean potentially fewer acute patients and fewer days for the resident in the nursing home. But these are primarily revenue and business issues, so what are the legal issues for the nursing homes? Read More »
OSHA’s program, a National Emphasis Program, is aimed at reducing workplace injuries specifically in long-term care, and will cover nursing homes, residential mental retardation facilities and continuing care retirement communities. Read More »
The National Labor Relations Board was issued an injunction delaying implementation of a rule requiring employers to post a notice in the workplace informing employees of their right to unionize. Read More »
In its recommendations, OIG suggested CMS add more specific emergency planning protocol to existing federal requirements for nursing home disaster preparedness. Read More »
As is the case normally in this space, current events coalesced today with an announcement from industry advocates—this time, the American Health Care Association (AHCA)—asking for reprieve. Read More »
When it is time for the walk-around tour, take the compliance officer where he or she needs to go and nowhere else. You may be proud of your facility and want to show it off, but that doesn’t mean they will see it in the same light as you. Read More »
According to research, the number of people living with dementia worldwide, estimated at 35.6 million in 2010, is set to nearly double every 20 years, reaching 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050. Read More »
More than 1.1 million beneficiaries are receiving care from providers participating in Medicare shared savings initiatives. CMS says it is reviewing more than 150 applications from ACOs seeking to enter the program in July. Read More »
Of the nearly 700 stoke patients studied, 18 percent were rehospitalized during the three months following discharge. Patients with better motor and cognitive abilities at rehabilitation discharge were less likely to be rehospitalized. Read More »
The new program aims to provide a system to “educate, encourage, promote, and recognize improvements that make cities, towns, and counties more user-friendly not only for their older residents but for residents of all ages,” according to the release. Read More »
For the new National Emphasis Program, OSHA will target LTC facilities with a days-away-from-work rate of 10 or higher per 100 full-time workers. Read More »
Determining what is “less institutional” may not be a foregone conclusion. Making assumptions about residents’ preferences is dangerous business, and when we simply ask residents what they want, they surprise us more often than not. Read More »
A senator says that while he supports Alzheimer’s research, "this $80 million isn’t happening," referring to funding President Obama proposed earlier this year. Read More »
CMS said it backtracked on its proposal because the policy “would be highly disruptive to the industry” without reducing drug utilization, according to news reports. Read More »
Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Louisiana, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia and New Jersey will absorb the largest Medicare funding cuts from bad debt provisions, a new Avalere Health analysis found. Read More »
The government protects employees’ rights to engage in "concerted activity" for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection. You might be surprised how far-reaching these protections can be, even in long-term care settings. Read More »
SNFs are an area of focus for audits by Medicare contractors. The OIG list of potential problem areas has become known as the OIG “hit list.” In fact, expect an even higher level of attention this year than in the past. Read More »
A policy paper addresses the potential impact of payment reductions including the loss of at least 20,000 jobs industry-wide and cancellation of facility expansions or renovations that would have generated 20,000-25,000 new jobs. Read More »
The report argued that while the Elder Justice Act—signed into law with 2010’s Affordable Care Act—authorizes $777 million to combat elder abuse, it has actually “received no appropriations to date.” Read More »
