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American Health Care Association

Nursing home quality scores are on the rise, federal data shows

McKnight's Staff May 22, 2012

The quality of care in U.S. nursing homes is improving, according to newly released federal health data. In evaluating the scores of 15,000 skilled nursing facilities across the country, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services found that the proportion of 4- and 5-Star centers has increased 4% and 4.1%, respectively.

With tax revenue up, provider group urges states to reverse Medicaid cuts

McKnight's Staff April 16, 2012

A top nursing home group is hoping that a jump in state tax collections can help convince lawmakers to restore states' Medicaid budgets.

Analysts disagree whether death of healthcare reform could mean recoupment of provider funding

McKnight's Staff April 13, 2012

Healthcare analysts are proposing that Medicare providers, including nursing homes, could recoup millions of dollars if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act.

Study highlights cost-effectiveness of home healthcare as post-acute setting

McKnight's Staff April 09, 2012

When home healthcare is used as the first post-acute care setting after a hospital stay, it was found to be the most cost-effective care setting, new research suggests.

Nursing home resident advocates applaud CMS antipsychotic initiative

McKnight's Staff March 29, 2012

Nursing home resident advocates applauded federal action on the issue of using antipsychotics to treat elderly nursing home residents with dementia.

McKnight's technology awards debut

McKnight's Staff March 19, 2012

McKnight's has partnered with American HealthTech to establish the first annual "McKnight's Excellence in Technology Awards — Connect Our World."

Providers warn that block grants would hinder state Medicaid budgets

McKnight's Staff March 06, 2012

A prominent long-term care group is joining several Republican governors in saying that that block grants wouldn't work for their state Medicaid budgets.

'Doc fix' might hurt a little

John O'Connor February 24, 2012

President Obama has signed legislation that delays a pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients. That comes as good news for physicians, but not so much for nursing facilities.

Obama budget calls for Medicare cuts for SNFs, penalizes rehospitalizations

February 14, 2012

While President Obama's proposed 2013 budget contains expected Medicare cuts, long-term care groups have expressed their disappointment. Among other proposals, the American Health Care Association criticized a provision of the budget that would "align Medicare policy more closely with private sector standards by reducing bad debt payments to 25% for all eligible providers over three years starting in 2013."

Nursing home group doesn't support mandatory flu vaccines for workers

February 13, 2012

The largest nursing home association in the country agrees that influenza vaccine should be offered to all healthcare workers but it stops short of endorsing a recommendation by a federal advisory panel that the vaccinations be mandatory.

As states cut Medicaid funds, nursing home group proposes bad debt fix

February 01, 2012

Forty states have either frozen or cut Medicaid-financed nursing home care for seniors between 2009 and 2011, a new survey has found.

MedPAC votes to lower the boom on skilled nursing providers

January 13, 2012

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission voted Wednesday to recommend that the way skilled nursing providers are paid by the government be drastically overhauled within two years. MedPAC commissioners also voted to recommend that they receive no Medicare inflationary pay increase during the next fiscal year.

LTC groups urge Congress to pass a therapy cap extension

December 06, 2011

Congress should extend the therapy caps exception process for medically necessary Medicare Part B outpatient therapy services, several long-term care groups said Tuesday.

SNF resident satisfaction up, survey citations down, report finds

October 13, 2011

Resident satisfaction rates have improved and health survey citations are declining in skilled nursing facilities, according to a new quality of care report.

Staff stability and resident satisfaction are key goals for providers, quality guru says

September 29, 2011

Providers should be avidly trying to reduce rehospitalization rates as a measure of quality, according to an American Health Care Association executive.

'No forgiveness' for inaccurate billing, expert says

September 28, 2011

With three days left until the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Skilled Nursing Facility PPS rule goes into effect, one long-term care expert cautioned providers to go over their October billing with a fine-tooth comb.

Thousands of providers gather as largest nursing home association opens its 62th annual convention

September 20, 2011

Much like historical battles fought and won by American ancestors, providers have to be ready to fight for "our lives and for our survival," the head of the American Health Care Association said Monday.

Nursing home group criticizes proposed painkiller dispensing legislation

September 19, 2011

Newly proposed legislation aimed at easing painkiller-dispensing regulations in nursing homes is being loudly condemned by the American Health Care Association.

Nursing home lobby launches multimillion-dollar ad campaign

August 30, 2011

Two lobby groups representing the nation's for-profit nursing homes kicked off a nationwide ad campaign Monday aimed at preventing additional cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

CMS plans to cut Medicare payments by 11.1%, starting Oct. 1

July 29, 2011

Medicare payments to nursing homes would be trimmed by 11.1% beginning Oct. 1, under a corrective proposal the federal government issued on Friday. The call for reduced funding comes amid reports that providers have been paid more than $2 billion above federal projections since a new payment system took effect late last year.

Provider organization won't seek waiver to rule on employee insurance

June 21, 2011

A leading long-term care provider organization said it would not seek a waiver for its members on mandated employee health insurance under a provision of the Affordable Care Act.

Remembering Paul Willging

David Kyllo May 25, 2011

Those of us who were fortunate enough to work alongside Dr. Paul Willging quickly learned of the depth of his commitment to long-term care and to those people who dedicate their lives to providing such care.

Nursing homes roll out the red carpet and popular programs for 'their' special week

May 06, 2011

National Nursing Home Week kicks off Sunday, with a wide array of activities expected under the 2011 theme "Fulfilling the Promise." Nursing home employees and residents will be spotlighted in activities locally and regionally through the following Saturday. Many opening day events will involve community and family outreach in connection with Mother's Day activities.

Parkinson: Nursing homes must be a part of ACOs

April 20, 2011

Nursing homes are "perfect partners" for accountable care organizations and don't want to be left behind in the changing healthcare landscape, the leader of the nation's biggest nursing home association said Tuesday.

House passes GOP-supported fiscal year 2012 budget with big spending cuts

April 18, 2011

Voting along party lines, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Paul Ryan's proposed fiscal year 2012 budget Friday.

Providers hail nursing home eligibility in ACOs

April 05, 2011

Provider groups are applauding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed accountable care organization regulations, which would allow nursing homes to participate.

State Medicaid funding reduction looms; nursing home advocates urge caution on Medicaid reforms

March 29, 2011

The federal government on Friday will scale back the amount of Medicaid money it sends to states as one phase of a temporary increase to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) comes to an end.

Labor Department releases long-term care core competency model

March 24, 2011

The U.S. Department of Labor on Tuesday released a model outlining the core competencies required of workers in the long-term care industry.

Death rate down, life expectancy rate up, CDC report finds

March 18, 2011

In 2009, the average life expectancy of a baby born in the U.S. climbed to 78.2 years, according to the new National Vital Statistics Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, the death rate fell to an all-time low.