May 15, 2013
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.
President Barack Obama has named the final three members of the Commission on Long-Term Care created as part of January's fiscal cliff deal.
Nursing homes need to build relationships with their local hospitals to reduce unnecessary readmissions, cut costs and provide better care, a geriatric expert said Thursday.
January 30, 2013
Healthcare providers are increasing coordination to reduce the cost of care, but overly zealous consolidation can actually end up costing more, an expert panelist said at a Monday briefing.
January 04, 2013
Republican House leaders say they will continue to fight a part of the healthcare reform law that could lead to Medicare spending reductions without direct input from Congress. The House was scheduled to vote on rules for the 113th Congress Thursday. Part of them would include a GOP-promoted package that would disallow powers of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).
December 20, 2012
As federal debt negotiations continued Wednesday, an industry group unveiled its three-part plan for reform in post-acute care.
While many states have increased provider taxes since 2008, many also raised payment rates for skilled nursing facilities, according to a three-year study from the General Accountability Office.
September 13, 2012
Medicare service providers cannot object to a Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor's (RAC) decision to re-open a payment decision, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
It's not too late to register for today's McKnight's Super Tuesday Webinar "2012 Reimbursement Update: The Least You Need to Know," which can earn you one free continuing education credit.
Assisted living residents generally are from mid- to high-income households, and the majority can pay for care on their own, a survey released Friday reveals.
March 21, 2012
Last week, three reports issued by three separate government agencies made incongruent recommendations — or no recommendations at all — related to skilled nursing facility (SNF) patient care and policy. This spotlights precisely how federal policymaking is hampered by "siloed thinking."
Providers from around the country are already making the sixth annual McKnight's Online Expo the most successful version yet. They have signed up in record numbers for the virtual trade show, which takes place next Wednesday and Thursday from the comfort of wherever your computer can get an Internet connection.
More registrants than ever are prepping for the fifth annual McKnight's Online Expo, which kicks off Wednesday and Thursday at a keyboard near you.
March 07, 2012
The sixth annual McKnight's Online Expo is almost ready to begin. More than 20 industry vendors will exhibit at this annual event, which runs March 21-22. Attendees again will be able to earn up to five free NAB-approved continuing education (CE) credits. Free registration is ongoing at McKnights.com or by clicking here. A record number of professionals have attended and earned thousands of CEs during the past three years. The virtual trade show will get operators up-to-speed on the hottest topics in long-term care: payment, capital, technology, wound care and quality.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act's Medicare payment board Tuesday morning.
March 01, 2012
The McKnight's Online Expo returns for a sixth successful year with five educational webcasts March 21 and 22. After a successful debut last year, a series of six affiliated monthly "Super Tuesday" webcasts again will follow.
February 29, 2012
The sixth annual McKnight's Online Expo is almost ready to begin. More than 20 industry vendors will exhibit at this annual event, which runs March 21-22. Attendees again will be able to earn up to five free NAB-approved continuing education (CE) credits. Free registration is ongoing at McKnights.com or by clicking here. A record number of professionals have attended and earned thousands of CEs during the past three years. The virtual trade show will get operators up to speed on the hottest topics in long-term care: payment, capital, technology, wound care and quality.
February 06, 2012
The Sixth Annual McKnight's Online Expo is just around the corner. The virtual trade show will get you up-to-speed on the hottest topics in long-term care: payment, capital, technology, wound care and quality. The event kicks off Wednesday, March 21 and continues on March 22.
December 02, 2011
Medical necessity has become a common phrase in healthcare terminology, but what exactly does it mean? Unfortunately, this term has become very subjective and is the primary reason we have been denied payment for services.
September 12, 2011
Is your facility scrambling to stay on top of possible Medicare changes with MDS 3.0? Let McKnights' last 2011 Super Tuesday webinar, "Keeping pace with the MDS 3.0," get you up to speed.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a national provider call Tuesday on skilled nursing facility payment changes for 2012 based on the new MDS 3.0 assessment system. Officials have called for an average 11.1% payment cut to providers, causing an uproar in the long-term care community. A huge audience at this government-sponsored call is all but ensured. Pre-registration is necessary by Monday. EDITOR'S NOTE: This session has been filled; federal officials will be coming out shortly with details about another opportunity the afternoon of Sept. 1.
Providers will learn about "Payment challenges and opportunities" Tuesday at the next McKnight's Super Tuesday webcast. Free CE credits will be offered for the first time. The event kicks off at 2 p.m. (Eastern) May 3 (this Tuesday) and will feature McKnight's "Ask the Payment Expert" columnist Patricia Boyer, MSN, NHA, RN, as well as top McKnight's editors. Free registration for the event is ongoing at www.mcknights.com/expo2011.
March 24, 2011
Record crowds on Wednesday attended the first day of the 5th Annual McKnight's Online Expo, which wraps up today with seminars focusing on payment issues and new quality initiatives. It's not too late to register for these events at www.mcknights.com/expo2011.
Long-term care groups on Tuesday strongly criticized the latest round of recommendations to Congress from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
February 07, 2011
Ignoring the adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," organizers of the McKnight's Online Expo are changing the formula to their highly successful virtual trade show for long-term care professionals. McKnight's is kicking off its expo with two days of educational sessions March 23 and 24—and extending the experience with six more months of new educational sessions and exhibits.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services needs to have more oversight of Medicare contractors, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) recently argued.
September 17, 2010
The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking input from nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare providers on a proposed National Health Care Quality Strategy and Plan.
August 23, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Tuesday will host a conference call on the Resource Utilization Group-Version 4 (RUG-IV) and the interim payment system this year for skilled nursing facilities.
June 04, 2010
It could take federal regulators six months or more to devise and implement a new payment scheme for nursing homes after a new resident assessment tool goes active Oct. 1, an official with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Thursday.
A release of newly updated material for the RAI (Resident Assessment Instrument) manual used by nursing home operators is expected this morning. Also, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expects to have the "completely revised manual" out by June 18, the agency's Thomas Dudley said Thursday during a conference call.
