Same-sex couples will no longer be denied visitation of a partner in a nursing home, according the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They will also have access to equal coverage in the facility where spouses live. Read More »
Population trends mean that the current model of family members serving as the primary caregivers for their elders may not work in the future, according to some policy advisers. Read More »
From medical-model nursing homes to the advent of Medicare/Medicaid to the adoption of the ACA and beyond, caring for our seniors has been a constantly evolving mission and challenge. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services birthed several key initiatives last year, including edicts to reduce unnecessary antipsychotic drug doses, preventable readmissions and avoidable infections. In other words, edicts for long-term care to do its job right. Read More »
Government, university and nonprofit organization representatives suggested ways to improve Medicare- and Medicaid-related long-term supportive services and private long-term care insurance at yesterday’s hearing of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care. Read More »
Updated 3:30 p.m. Last night’s PBS documentary on assisted living has enraged many, both because of what it revealed and what it didn’t reveal. Read More »
Some nonprofit organizations and a government agency are singing the praises of the Medicare and Medicaid programs as they observe the 48th anniversary of being signed into law. Read More »
Differences in the use of care at SNFs, rehab facilities and other post-acute settings largely account for variation in Medicare spending across geographic areas, according to a new report. Read More »
Following President Obama’s July 2 announcement to delay the employer insurance benefits mandate required by the ACA, the U.S. House voted today to delay the individual insurance mandate as well. But will the Senate agree? Read More »
After one year, quality benchmarks may be up, but cost savings are not—and nine ACOs have decided to leave the Pioneer ACO program, CMS announced today. Read More »
If the employer insurance mandate gets a one-year postponement, so should the individual insurance mandate, says House Speaker John Boehner. Read More »
A new payment proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) could impact the reimbursements for long-term care hospitals, post-acute care and rehab facilities. Read More »
Washington correspondent Bob Gatty shares his recent conversation with Mark Parkinson, AHCA president/CEO, on LTC's efforts to bring equitable solutions to Washington's challenges. Read More »
The Obama administration changed course on July 2 on a key provision of the Affordable Care Act, when it announced a one-year delay in the ACA’s employer mandate requiring provision of health insurance to employees. Corporations had objected to the mandate, which will now take effect in January 2015. Read More »
While LGBT couples are celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision that they should receive the same rights and benefits as straight married couples, they might not be too happy with some of the financials. Read More »
The Department of Health and Human Services launches a completely redesigned website ready to answer questions and assist in planning for this fall’s switch to the Health Insurance Marketplace (formerly Health Insurance Exchange). Read More »
Putting pharmacists and primary care physicians on care teams can improve outcomes for long-stay residents in skilled nursing, according to a recent review of research from around the world. Read More »
CMS’ plans for payment reform designed to cut costs in the post-acute sector for the FY2014 budget may be a cause of concern for the long-term care industry. Read More »
When the CLASS Act was kicked off the “fiscal cliff,” Congress established the Commission on Long-Term Care to serve in its stead. With a six-month lifespan, is the Commission a boon or a boondoggle? Read More »
As the American populations continues to age, assisted living looks at a new role of providing housing care to higher acuity residents and those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Read More »
CMS administrator Marilyn Tavenner launches another effort to identify and prevent Medicare fraud, waste and abuse by using seniors as the agency's "eyes and ears." Read More »
Those who have difficulty affording their medications may alter their doseage, skip doses or never fill the prescription at all--increasing the risk of a trip to the ER. Read More »
The new American Health Care Association will be a major force in Washington as it focuses on the challenges and issues of providing long-term care for America’s millions of elderly persons. Read More »
Two technology companies combine their products to provide electronic data documentation across the care continuum—from hospitals to SNFs to home care. Read More »
New CMS guidelines take a deeper look at discharge planning, clarifying who is responsible for what at the time of discharge and why discharge planning is a key to reducing 30-day readmissions. Read More »
CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announces a significantly smaller and more-focused project list for Round Two of the funding awards. Read More »
