Policy

Leading the charge to Argentum 2018

Senior care leaders convened at the annual Argentum Senior Living Executive Conference in Nashville to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. Read More »

CMS: SNF antipsychotic use at lowest level since 2011

The prevalence of antipsychotics in SNFs has dropped consistently since the CMS mandate to reduce unnecessary usage went into effect in 2012. Read More »

CMS funds nursing home for prisoners

A Connecticut nursing home will receive federal funding to help pay for and provide care to the state’s aging inmates.  Read More »

Congress to CMS: bolster oversight audits

Sen. Chuck Grassley asked Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to explain nearly $125 million in potential overcharges for Medicare Advantage plans.  Read More »

Pa. to provide training, support for family caregivers

New legislation will help family members who care for senior loved ones at home following hospital discharge.  Read More »

Mass. proposes increased LTC funding

State legislators are rallying behind bills to increase wages for nursing home workers and Medicaid reimbursement levels for nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities.  Read More »

Parkinson’s disease awareness month shows unshakeable spirit

The American Parkinson Disease Association kicks off a new campaign to highlight the spirit and stories of those with Parkinson's disease to raise awareness of the illness. Read More »

2017 Leader of Tomorrow: Kelly Papa

Kelly Papa took her idea for a dementia network and built it into a summit and an all-year dialogue that stretches across the state of Connecticut. Read More »

The ACA and Medicaid

After months of political leverage on repealing the Affordable Care Act, the GOP decided to ditch its new House bill without voting on it. Now what? Read More »

Home care before hospice

Home based palliative care, or pre-hospice, programs aim to improve quality of life by bringing healthcare workers into the home and better care coordination—all while cutting costs for seniors and Medicare. And research shows it’s working. Read More »

GOP withdraws healthcare act bill

Minutes before the House was scheduled to vote on the American Health Care Act, Speaker Paul Ryan was forced to withdraw the bill, citing lack of support. The bill would have made sweeping changes to Medicaid.  Read More »

Veyo to double its transportation market in 2017

The California startup has its wheels in motion to transform non-medical transportation for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Read More »

Verma confirmed as next CMS Administrator

The Senate approved President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services late Monday. Read More »

The repeal and replace bill: Medicaid’s most dangerous enemy?

The GOP's long-awaited bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act is here--but its vision may be dangerously shortsighted. Read More »

TX hospice indicted for $60M fraud, overmedicating

Sixteen people are mired in a $60 million scheme to rip off Medicare for false hospice services, including giving Schedule II controlled pain medication to patients who didn’t need them. Read More »

Silver linings

Long-term and post-acute care has plenty of challenges for 2017, but trials and tribulations can be good for the industry in the long run. Read More »

California considers senior LGBT Bill of Rights

The California State Legislature will consider a bill to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) seniors living in long-term care from gender-based discrimination.  Read More »

Civil money penalties expected to double for Va. assisted living

Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill that would raise the maximum penalty per year for violations at assisted living facilities in the state. Read More »

New federal rules for home health agencies

Federal regulations, set to go into effect in July, would require the more than 12,000 home health agencies participating in Medicare and Medicaid be more responsive--and responsible--for patients and caregivers.  Read More »

Price confirmed to head HHS

The Senate has approved the president’s nomination of Representative Tom Price as the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Read More »

Re-examining CMS’ 5-star rating system

A new GAO report highlights why experts say the next addition to the Nursing Home Compare five-star ratings should be customer service. Read More »

Trump’s SCOTUS pick and ‘death with dignity’ legislation

Federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch is a well-known expert and author on the legal and ethical facets of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. If confirmed, will he kill the discussion on death with dignity? Read More »

Providers, Medicare renew battle over therapy services

Four years after the Jimmo court case, Medicare officials, providers and senior advocates still can't agree on how to handle ongoing therapy services for patients who aren't improving. Read More »

PointRight, Pathway launch 5-star ratings solution

The product will help skilled nursing facilities maximize their 5-star ratings under the CMS's Nursing Home Compare system. Read More »

Fighting superbugs with genetic warfare

As antibiotic resistance grows, scientists are learning how to attack killer bacteria at the genetic level. Read More »

Judge says no to Aetna/Humana merger

The risks to pricing and competition among Medicare plans were key factors in the denial, the court says. Read More »

CMS applauds readmission reduction

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has seen a substantial decline in hospitalization admissions among Medicare beneficiaries in long-term care.  Read More »

Therapy billing fraud: When will LTC learn?

Providers who overbill or fudge their therapy services are on the DOJ’s radar more than ever. So why is there still so much therapy billing fraud? Read More »

FDA nixes 14-day drug pre-packaging rule

The new FDA rules acknowledge the unique role and dispensing needs of LTC pharmacies, including emergency kits and remote dispensing. Read More »

CMS releases home health agency rules

Home health agencies that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds must now comply with a new set of rules designed to close the gaps in care documentation. Read More »