http://www.mcknights.com/james-m-berklan/author/160/ Latest articles by James M. Berklan from McKnight's Long Term Care News McKnight's custserv@mcknights.com no With all the talk of ACOs, bundled payments and creating better relationships, a different kind of provider collaborative recently caught my eye. I can't get it out of my mind. http://www.mcknights.com/chug-disaster-insurance-among-friends/article/298392/ Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:30:00 GMT With all the talk of ACOs, bundled payments and creating better relationships, a different kind of provider collaborative recently caught my eye. I can't get it out of my mind. McKnight's A facility with a history of safety deficiencies must exhaust its administrative options before seeking relief in the courtroom, a district court judge ruled. Moreover, the requested temporary injunction would probably fail to prevent a shutdown even if the operator had followed protocol, the court ruled. http://www.mcknights.com/federal-judge-to-troubled-operator-exhaust-other-options-before-you-make-a-federal-case/article/297204/ Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:30:00 GMT A facility with a history of safety deficiencies must exhaust its administrative options before seeking relief in the courtroom, a district court judge ruled. Moreover, the requested temporary injunction would probably fail to prevent a shutdown even if the operator had followed protocol, the court ruled. McKnight's Finding and training qualified nurses remains one of the field's top challenges, the head of a top senior care nurses' group said Monday. http://www.mcknights.com/long-term-care-nurse-training-retention-need-boost-executive-says/article/297205/ Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:30:00 GMT Finding and training qualified nurses remains one of the field's top challenges, the head of a top senior care nurses' group said Monday. McKnight's Senate lawmakers recently re-introduced legislation that would upgrade mental health services for seniors in community-based care settings. Provider and consumer groups quickly touted the measure, better known as the Postive Aging Act. http://www.mcknights.com/mental-health-measure-honors-seniors-sponsor-says/article/297203/ Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:30:00 GMT Senate lawmakers recently re-introduced legislation that would upgrade mental health services for seniors in community-based care settings. Provider and consumer groups quickly touted the measure, better known as the Postive Aging Act. McKnight's Raise your hand if you've ever had a family that just didn't "get it" when dealing with the staff at your nursing home or long-term care facility. OK, everybody put their hand down now. It's time to learn why Marie Marley could be your next best friend. http://www.mcknights.com/something-to-hand-everyone-who-admits-a-loved-one-to-your-nursing-home/article/296356/ Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:30:00 GMT Raise your hand if you've ever had a family that just didn't "get it" when dealing with the staff at your nursing home or long-term care facility. OK, everybody put their hand down now. It's time to learn why Marie Marley could be your next best friend. McKnight's Because Medicare's growth rate will not eclipse a certain threshold, the program will be spared from potential Medicare cuts called for in the healthcare reform law, a top government official said. http://www.mcknights.com/aca-mandated-cuts-will-not-hit-medicare-official-asserts/article/295605/ Sat, 01 Jun 2013 23:00:00 GMT Because Medicare's growth rate will not eclipse a certain threshold, the program will be spared from potential Medicare cuts called for in the healthcare reform law, a top government official said. McKnight's For the fourth straight year, McKnight's Long-Term Care News was named the Gold Award winner for Best News Coverage in the annual ASHPE Awards. McKnight's also earned Gold for its Daily Update e-newsletter. http://www.mcknights.com/mcknights-wins-7-more-awards/article/295604/ Sat, 01 Jun 2013 22:58:00 GMT For the fourth straight year, McKnight's Long-Term Care News was named the Gold Award winner for Best News Coverage in the annual ASHPE Awards. McKnight's also earned Gold for its Daily Update e-newsletter. McKnight's The nation's skilled nursing facilities can expect an aggregate $500 million boost in Medicare payments next year — $320 million less than the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed. http://www.mcknights.com/forecast-error-costs-snfs-320-million/article/295596/ Sat, 01 Jun 2013 22:43:00 GMT The nation's skilled nursing facilities can expect an aggregate $500 million boost in Medicare payments next year — $320 million less than the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed. McKnight's If you hang around long enough, you learn there are only two things long-term care providers fear after Republicans and Democrats. That would be hospitals and doctors. http://www.mcknights.com/long-term-care-wants-its-own-fix-if-docs-get-one/article/295944/ Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:11:00 GMT If you hang around long enough, you learn there are only two things long-term care providers fear after Republicans and Democrats. That would be hospitals and doctors. McKnight's Large-scale bundling of government reimbursements is needed, say researchers who have studied the topic. Post-acute care was the fastest growing major healthcare spending category for government programs between 1994-2009, according to Harvard University researcher Amitabh Chandra, Ph.D., and co-authors. http://www.mcknights.com/case-for-bundled-pay-made/article/295684/ Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:06:00 GMT Large-scale bundling of government reimbursements is needed, say researchers who have studied the topic. Post-acute care was the fastest growing major healthcare spending category for government programs between 1994-2009, according to Harvard University researcher Amitabh Chandra, Ph.D., and co-authors. McKnight's