CMS plans to issue guidance for screening deceased Medicaid beneficiaries, provide more-complete data for screening Medicaid providers and consider whether the performance of Medicare administrative contractors can be improved. Read More »
July 13 will be the date for the White House Conference on Aging national event, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced today. Read More »
Leaders from organizations representing providers of housing, care and services for older adults say they continue to scrutinize the 653-page proposal of reforms to Medicaid managed care plans that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued May 26, but they shared their initial reactions with Long-Term Living. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing several changes to its Medicaid managed care regulations to modernize them and improve quality in the delivery of care to beneficiaries. Read More »
Two California nursing homes persistently overmedicated residents, causing infection, sepsis, malnutrition, dehydration, falls, fractures, pressure ulcers and, for some residents, premature death, the federal government maintains. Read More »
The importance of complying with fire suppression regulations in U.S. nursing home facilities is underscored by a recent report of a Chinese nursing home destroyed by an undetermined blaze. Read More »
Delegates at the 68th World Health Assembly endorsed a global action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, which they termed the most urgent drug resistance trend. The plan has five objectives. Read More »
The body that advises Congress on Medicare-related payments to health plans and providers welcomes a new member, a new chair and five reappointed members. Read More »
Repackaging and distribution guidance proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration inadvertently would undermine patient/resident safety in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and also would threaten regulatory compliance, the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition said in a letter to the agency. Read More »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should help federal agencies work together to ensure that government resources related to home- and community-based services are used effectively and efficiently, the Government Accountability Office recommends. Read More »
Communication devices are everywhere. Indiscriminate use of “bring your own device” policies can threaten privacy for residents and your organization. Read More »
On the heels of an analysis finding the Lone Star State be the one with greatest share of low-rated nursing homes, the Texas Health Care Association has released survey results indicating that nursing home quality there has improved over the past year. Read More »
A new plan focuses on the reduction of avoidable transfers of residents from post-acute care facilities to hospitals and emergency department admissions. Read More »
The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition says it is pleased with the Energy and Commerce Committee’s revised language in draft 21st Century Cures legislation it is considering related to programs to prevent prescription drug abuse under Medicare Parts C and D. Read More »
The lower five-star ratings forecast in February by the federal government are evidenced in a new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The news is not surprising, say two organizations representing providers. Read More »
Looming federal elections present the perfect time to step aside and let a successor fill his shoes, LeadingAge President and CEO Larry Minnix tells Long-Term Living in an exclusive interview. Read More »
Following passage in the House, legislation introduced in the Senate would require hospitals to notify Medicare beneficiaries of their outpatient status within 36 hours after the time of their classification or, if sooner, upon discharge. Read More »
The “21st Century Cures” initiative would spur innovation and drug “repurposing” to attack Alzheimer's and other difficult-to-treat diseases. Read More »
In an exclusive interview, the president and CEO of the Assisted Living Federation of America sits down with Long-Term Living to discuss the present and future of the organization and of assisted living in general. Read More »
The effort to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease faces challenges related to funding and clinical trial participation, among others, and yet reasons for hope exist, said members of a panel discussion at the Assisted Living Federation of America’s annual meeting. Read More »
Potential for increased stress, illness and death is increased when surgery for melanoma, a leading cause of skin cancer diagnosis, is delayed. Read More »
The Assisted Living Federation of America has launched a new initiative, Senior Living 2025: A Roadmap, to establish a united voice around four major issues facing the industry. Read More »
Gels, liquids or wipes—hand hygiene is encouraged everywhere. Healthcare professionals know how vital hand sanitation is in preventing the spread of infection. Read More »
The Pioneer model of accountable care organization has saved about $385 million without sacrificing care quality, according to a newly published study in JAMA. Read More »
A new report by the Government Accountability Office sheds light on the demographic characteristics of those most likely to have living wills and healthcare powers of attorney. Read More »
Assisted living professionals are cheering the passage of new regulations in Florida. One group, however, says they don’t go far enough to protect residents of the Sunshine State, which has the second-largest population of people aged at least 65 years. Read exclusive interviews here. Read More »
