The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has removed 14,663 healthcare providers and suppliers from the Medicare program in the last two years, the agency announced Thursday. The figure more than doubles...
Judge questions legality of nursing home management companies, but dismisses complaint against one
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 07, 2013
Nursing home management agreements may run afoul of federal law, but it’s hard to argue that having a third-party manager hurts resident care. That was the message from Judge Jon S. Tigar, who recently...
Government-funded housing should support people transitioning out of long-term care settings, guidance...
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 07, 2013
Housing providers using government funds should consider the needs of individuals transitioning out of nursing homes and other institutional settings, according to recently released guidance from the Department...
RACs push back against audit improvement bills
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 06, 2013
An advocacy group for independent Medicare auditors has sharply criticized two bills that would put new controls on Recovery Audit Contractors. The Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013 was introduced...
New MDS training video addresses discharge assessments, use of dashes
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 06, 2013
Providers can now access a training video on discharge assessments and how to properly code using dashes in the Minimum Data Set, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Thursday.
Occupancy held steady while Medicare gained importance for nursing homes: CDC report
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 06, 2013
The occupancy rate for nursing homes was steady at 82% between 2000 and 2011, according to the most recent national health report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of Medicare-certified...
Safety commission weighs petitions for total bed-rail ban, seeks input
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 05, 2013
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has merged two petitions calling for a total ban on adult bed rails and will accept comments on the matter through Aug. 5, according to an entry in Tuesday’s...
Nursing home hospice doctor faces up to 25 years in jail after kickback conviction
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 05, 2013
A federal jury recently convicted a Philadelphia physician of receiving kickbacks from a hospice provider in exchange for referring Medicare and Medicaid patients. Eugene Goldman, M.D., will be sentenced...
Aide training standards give poor preparation for care, report warns
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 05, 2013
Personal care aide is the fastest growing occupation in the United States, yet training standards for PCAs are lax and inconsistent, according to a new report from the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute.
Providers: Get detailed contracts when entering Medicaid managed care systems, AHCA guidance urges
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 04, 2013
Long-term care providers should be cautious adopters as Medicaid managed care programs grow in scope and number, according to a new report and toolkit from the American Health Care Association. Advisory...