The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission should reject a proposal to pay the same amount for rehabilitation care whether it occurs in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital or a nursing home, the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association says. Read More »
In the first installment of a multi-part series examining challenges in the new year, Long-Term Living explores why some government initiatives under testing or development give pause to many providers serving older adults. Read More »
Long-term care facilities that do not recognize residents’ same-sex marriages would be ineligible to receive Medicare or Medicaid funding under a rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More »
Elderly Americans have a new ally in preventing abuse by family, staff, home caregivers or other residents--the surveillance camera. A recent alleged case of abuse in New York was captured on camera. Read More »
Some may have been misled by a recent essay in The Atlantic, author Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, PhD, says. His published views on aging and the end of life, however, have implications for policymakers and professional caregivers. Read More »
Boston, Cleveland, Phoenix, Seattle and Tampa will host events covering retirement security, healthful aging, long-term services and supports and elder justice. Read More »
A new analysis examines job growth potential and pay of home care workers and nursing assistants, and the organization conducting it names a new policy chief to advocate on behalf of these workers. Read More »
A group representing providers of intensive rehabilitation is calling into question a proposal that potentially would divert patients to nursing homes for such care. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced a new rule that is says will help save more than $327 annually by increasing oversight of Medicare providers. Read More »
James Balda tells Long-Term Living that strengthening relationships with state chapters and affiliates and implementing an ambitious agenda will be his priorities when he assumes his new role Jan. 15. Read More »
A new federal rule will prohibit some employers from discriminating on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity. Will you be affected? Read More »
Spending on care in nursing facilities and continuing care retirement communities totaled $155.8 billion in 2013, according to new data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This amount represents growth of 2.4 percent, compared with 2.0 percent in 2012. Read More »
The Assisted Living Federation of America has named James Balda as its next president and CEO. He will be at the helm as the organization announces a name change, a credentialing program and professional standards. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services wants to ease the time lines for accountable care organizations participating in its shared savings program. Read More »
The American Health Care Association has suggested to CMS several changes to an outcome and efficiency measure that would affect payments to skilled nursing facilities for the care of those who have undergone total hip or knee arthroplasty. Read More »
Re-establishing a co-payment for the Medicare home health benefit would exacerbate the challenges facing U.S. seniors related to access, coordination and person-centered care, according to the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare. Read More »
Sooner or later, most skilled nursing facilities encounter recovery audit contractors (RACs). A healthcare legal expert explains how to handle RAC visits and what to do when claims are denied. Read More »
Leaders in organizations representing seniors housing and services providers share with Long-Term Living their wish lists for the upcoming White House Conference on Aging. Do you agree with their picks? Read More »
The billing, hiring, care-provision and deficiency-correction practices of nursing homes, hospices and home health programs are among the areas to be targeted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General in 2015. Read More »
Trash receptacles behind nursing homes and other care facilities are becoming a goldmine for drug addicts in search of controlled medications. Read More »
A survey of older adults in 11 countries turns up interesting data on how efficiently people in industrialized nations can access and interact with their healthcare providers. Read More »
Ensuring quality in nursing home, hospice and home- and community-based settings is one of the top challenges facing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to a new report from the HHS Office of Inspector General. Read More »
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will consider an Elder Law Task Force report as a guide to protect the state's older adults from abuse and neglect. Read More »
One of the first political “hot potatoes” the new Congress must address is amnesty for illegal immigrants, which would present long-term care organizations a broader pool of potential caregivers. Read More »
CMS has followed the lead of a preventive services agency and proposed coverage of annual lung cancer screenings for certain older adults. But can Medicare afford it? Read More »
Two centers and 11 projects studying ways to improve cognition, decision-making, mobility and the independence of older people are expected to receive more than $23 million in funding over five years from the National Institute on Aging. Read More »
What's in store for those who serve older Americans now that the political landscape will be changing? Several leaders of associations representing providers share their thoughts with Long-Term Living. Read More »
Two years later, repercussions from Superstorm Sandy are still being felt by some assisted living residents in Rockaway, NY. Is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s effort to recoup undeserved funds a management error or resident fraud? Read More »
The holidays are coming up quickly. Now is the time to start to think about gifts for residents or a resident project to help less fortunate older people in the community. For more than a decade, one organization has helped to keep seniors' feet warm and dry throughout the winter. Read More »
CMS recently updated the change of therapy requirements found in the RAI User’s Manual. Understanding the changes can ensure correct reimbursement and avoid miscalculations. Read More »
