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Skilled Nursing Facilities

New MDS flu guidance for nursing facilities

September 11, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued new MDS coding guidance for skilled nursing facilities for the upcoming flu season.

How to prepare for your next Medicare audit

Dr. Kenneth Kei Adams August 10, 2009

The federal government is looking closely at how post-acute providers, such as skilled nursing facilities, spend Medicare dollars. SNFs should know their operations and understand real outcomes before their next audit.

Appeals court denies Medicare reimbursement to nursing homes for bad debt

August 06, 2009

An appeals court has upheld a decision denying Medicare reimbursement to 21 skilled nursing facilities for bad debt related to services rendered to dual-eligible beneficiaries, according to news reports.

Editors' Blog: A bad feeling about Medicare commission plan

July 29, 2009

The Independent Medicare Advisory Council (IMAC), an idea which is still being tossed around, is cause for concern. It ultimately could act against the best interests of skilled nursing facilities.

Some healthcare groups, lawmakers slam proposal for new agency governing Medicare rates

July 28, 2009

President Obama has proposed creating a new executive agency, the Independent Medicare Advisory Council, to set Medicare payment updates. So far, that idea is meeting strong resistance from the healthcare community, according to recent reports.

CBO: market-basket freeze for skilled nursing could add up to billions in savings

July 10, 2009

The federal government can expect to save roughly $26 billion in Medicare costs over 10 years in part by freezing the market-basket update for skilled nursing facilities in fiscal year 2010, according to a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.

Gunman could face death penalty in North Carolina nursing home shooting case

June 01, 2009

Prosecutors last week asked for the death penalty in the case of Robert Stewart, 45, the man accused of murdering eight people at Pinelake Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carthage, NC.

Association disputes findings in recent survey on CNAs in long-term care

May 28, 2009

The American Health Care Association Wednesday took aim at a recent government-issued survey that revealed a high rate of workplace injuries among certified nursing assistants in long-term care. The survey also found that wages for CNAs are failing to improve.

Long-term care reform tops agenda at AAHSA spring conference

April 21, 2009

The stakes have never been higher at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's annual spring conference and exhibition, the group's leader told McKnight's on Monday in Washington.

F-tags with revisions on resident quality of life to be released in June

April 20, 2009

Eleven F-tags with revisions related to the quality of life and environment of nursing home residents will be available June 17.

Kaiser: Long-term care accounts for nearly one-third of all Medicaid spending in the United States

April 17, 2009

Long-term care consumed more than a third of the $320 billion spent on Medicaid services during fiscal year 2007, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report.

Computer problems delaying new MDS 3.0 timeline, regulators say

April 17, 2009

Providers worried about last week's abrupt posting and withdrawal of a MDS 3.0 form timeline can rest easy, federal regulators assured Thursday during an Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long-Term Care Open Door Forum conference call.

Long-term care organizations praise CMS post-acute pilot project

April 15, 2009

Many in the long-term care community are supporting the Care Transitions Project, a government initiative to improve healthcare processes and minimize rehospitalizations.

CMS discloses new post-acute initiative to prevent rehospitalizations

April 14, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is beginning a new pilot program to help ease the adjustment from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility or home. The purpose is to prevent hospital readmissions.

MDRGN bacteria more prevalent than MRSA in long-term care facilities, new report suggests

April 14, 2009

Multi-drug resistant gram-negative (MDRGN) bacteria could be overtaking methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) as the number-one source of treatment-resistant infections in long-term care facilities, a recent report suggests.

Economic crisis eases nursing shortage--but relief seen as temporary

April 08, 2009

Recent reports indicate that the current economic crisis has temporarily alleviated the nationwide nursing shortage.

Study: Rehospitalizations--some of which are preventable--cost billions

April 03, 2009

More than 50% of Medicare patients are rehospitalized within 12 months of discharge and 20% wind up back in the hospital after only 30 days. That adds up, according to a report published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Credit crisis affected seniors housing in 2008 fourth quarter, NIC reports

April 01, 2009

Transaction volumes fell and capitalization rates rose in seniors housing and care in the fourth quarter of last year, according to a new report from the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry. They are signs of the credit crisis, the organization said.

Survivors of Pinelake nursing home shooting face 'long healing process,' head of North Carolina association says

March 31, 2009

Staff members, families and residents of Pinelake Health and Rehab in Carthage, NC, are still in shock after a lone gunman went on a shooting rampage that left eight people dead and three injured at the small skilled nursing facility.

Card-check alternatives gaining ground with lawmakers

March 31, 2009

Last week, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) announced that he might not support current union "card-check" legislation. Since then, a number of alternative labor reform plans have begun to gain popularity.

McKnight's Video: Medicare is top concern, leader of state association says

March 31, 2009

Nursing home providers are keeping their eyes on Medicare, Dennis Bozzi, president of Life Services Network, told McKnight's.

House to use controversial budget reconciliation process to pass healthcare reform

March 27, 2009

The House Budget Committee Wednesday agreed to use the budget reconciliation process as a way to pass significant healthcare reform legislation as part of the fiscal year 2010 budget.

Group launches project to predict, prevent falls in nursing homes

March 27, 2009

An Illinois-based company has kicked off a multi-state project designed to help predict falls among assisted living and skilled nursing facility residents.

Leaders applaud Finance Committee's hearing on long-term care reform

March 26, 2009

Providers heaped praise on the Senate Finance Committee for its hearing Wednesday addressing the role of long-term care reform in general healthcare reform.

Specter plans vote against card-check legislation, threatening bill's passage

March 26, 2009

Nursing homes likely are cheering after Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) said Tuesday he would vote against the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as the card-check bill. His veto could effectively end the bill's chance at passing.

DAY ONE: McKnight's third annual Online Expo to kick off with webcasts on technology, wound care and payment

March 25, 2009

The third annual online trade show for the long-term care field starts today with a whole range of educational webcasts and virtual vendor booths. It's not too late to register for the two-day event at www.mcknights.com/expo.

Senate Finance Committee to discuss inclusion of long-term care in healthcare reform today

March 25, 2009

The Senate Finance Committee is planning to meet today to hear arguments in support of including long-term care services and supports in an overarching healthcare reform strategy.

New bills would provide nursing homes with funding for disaster relief and sprinkler systems

March 25, 2009

One new federal bill would expand the scope of disaster relief to include for-profit nursing homes, while another would help fund the installation of sprinkler systems.

ONE DAY TO GO: Medicare, Medicaid face drastic cuts under new administration, McKnight's Online Expo to address programs as they affect long-term care

March 24, 2009

Under President Obama's budget plan, Medicare and Medicaid spending would be slashed by up to $295 billion over the next 10 years, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated.

Growing number of younger, mentally ill nursing home residents poses safety risks, news outlet reports

March 24, 2009

The number of younger, mentally ill nursing home patients has been on the rise in recent years. This influx of potentially aggressive residents is creating some serious safety concerns, The Associated Press reported.