State News for September 2017
After the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in mid-August that a $1.50-per-pack “fee” on cigarettes was a tax, the state is facing a $215 million shortfall.
Print Issue: September 01, 2017
CMS cancels, trims bundled pay models
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a proposal in mid-August to cancel its Episode Payment and Cardiac Rehabilitation bundled payment models, citing a need for “greater flexibility” in designing new models.
Reader Poll: What do you do at the start of each work day to set yourself up for success?
“Usually I’ll go over my planner and peruse that. I just got into bullet journaling. The idea is that if you write something down and you didn’t do it, is it worth it to move it forward to the next month or should you just forget it?”
Caregiver trust linked to good outcomes
Healthcare professionals may improve palliative care for residents with advanced dementia by improving communication with residents’ caregivers, a recent study found.
Fifth Fall Expo to offer free CE
As providers prepare for Phase 2 requirements under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ mega-rule, many are balancing how to stay compliant while affirming residents’ rights.Attorney Sean Fahey, of Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman P.C., will give guidance on this and more during the Quality session of the McKnight’s Fall Online Expo.
Person-centered care pushing aside nonsense
I found it stunning when I recently read that more than a half million people had taken advantage of new Medicare coverage that pays for end-of-life discussions with their doctors. And there was hardly a peep about it.
Diabetes self-management game reduces hemoglobin
An online game designed to teach diabetes self-management significantly decreased hemoglobin A1c, a common marker for diabetes control, according to research published in Diabetes Care in August.
A Trump success story
President Trump may have struggled mightily to kill Obamacare. But he is clearly enjoying early success in at least one area: labor policy.
Ask the Care Expert about … ordering antibiotics
I am trying to train some of the staff on my floor to be aware before simply automatically ordering an antibiotic to get the resident feeling better. Can you help?
Health literacy low for Medigap seniors
Health literacy is lacking for individuals with Medigap coverage compared to other elderly populations, new research has found.
