New CMS administrator among the expected changes, as Clinton and Trump set up transition teams
By
Elizabeth Newman
Aug 19, 2016
As Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump prepare their transition teams as part of their hoped-for march to the White House, one position is sure to catch long-term care officials’ notice: The future...
Slavitt, Conway rise in rank at CMS
By
John Hall
Feb 25, 2015
A number of internal promotions and a few staff acquisitions from a Health and Human Services’ insurance unit highlight a series of leadership changes at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,...
Congressman requests briefing on nursing home five-star rating system
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2014
A leader in Congress has called for an evaluation of the nursing home five-star rating system in light of a recent New York Times article. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) requested that Centers for Medicare...
The Medicare trust fund is on track to remain solvent until 2030, trustees of the program stated in a Congressional report released Monday. This improved outlook is due in part to revised expectations...
AHA pushes for payment policies to benefit hospital-based skilled nursing facilities
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 27, 2014
The government should adjust Medicare payment policies to better support the type of care provided in hospital-based skilled nursing facilities, the American Hospital Association urged in a recent letter...
Senators press for SNF survey changes in light of adverse events report
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 07, 2014
The skilled nursing facility survey process is failing to ensure resident safety and needs to be improved, two prominent senators said in a recent letter to the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
ICD-10: LTC must get ready
By
John Andrews
Apr 01, 2014
The procrastination is over for the conversion to ICD-10 coding. After the third postponement of the start date last year, officials are adamant about starting the new format Oct. 1.
With ICD-10 transition date firm and testing imminent, Medicare agency releases new provider resources
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 28, 2014
Long-term care providers can refer to newly released materials about looming ICD-10 testing and the overall transition to the new coding system, but they should not expect any delay in the Oct. 1 transition...
New Medicare guidance guarantees that same-sex married couples can live in the same nursing home
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 30, 2013
Nursing homes may see more same-gender married couples in the near future in light of federal regulators’ first guidance in response to a recent change in the Defense of Marriage Act.
ACA-mandated cuts will not hit Medicare, official asserts
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 01, 2013
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.