As my colleague Tim Mullaney reported last week, the Government Accountability Office has been taking a closer look at Medicaid bed taxes lately. And the investigative arm of Congress doesn’t seem...
Finally, a Medicaid funding plan that actually makes sense
Jul 28, 2014
When politicians talk about Medicaid funding and nursing homes these days, an unsettling theme often emerges: the need to spend less of the former on the latter.
Take this to the bank: How to reduce money stress for LTC residents
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 30, 2014
In my conversations with hundreds of long-term care residents over the years, I’ve found money to be an almost universally sore subject among them. Financial concerns continue to be a stressor for...
You’ll never guess where the latest Medicaid relief is coming from
By
John O'Connor
Jun 30, 2014
If you are a long-term care provider relying on Medicaid dollars to make ends meet, Illinois is probably one of the last places where you’d want to be doing business. But Illinois also might have...
It’s time to stop long-term care state rankings
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 24, 2014
Minnesota routinely is named best state for long-term care, as it was last week in AARP’s 2014 scorecard. AARP held a panel discussion to unveil the rankings, and of course an official from Minnesota...
New payment models present opportunities for SNFs
By
Jeff Terkowitz
Jun 18, 2014
For skilled nursing facilities, the Medicare SNF 3-day rule can make it difficult to place the right patients in the right setting at the right time. The 3-day rule requires that a Medicare beneficiary...
Emerging state approach to long-term care gives ‘criminal intent’ a whole new meaning
By
John O'Connor
Jun 09, 2014
States are beginning to consider a bizarre new long-term care strategy that has many providers rightfully concerned.
3 value-based purchasing strategies to help you get ahead
By
Sally Rodriguez
May 21, 2014
Long-term care providers have a stronger hook than they probably realize regarding the toughening of penalties for hospitals with high readmission rates.
New wrinkles for population experts — and providers — to consider
By
John O'Connor
May 09, 2014
It’s hardly breaking news that we live in an aging nation. But a look inside the latest round of numbers might give providers more reason to feel optimistic about remaining solvent once the age wave...
The safety net for seniors
By
James Lomastro
Jan 02, 2014
Healthcare reform, especially the expansion of Medicaid, will bring into focus the fragility of the safety net. This is a system that is for vulnerable seniors, but which has not been adequately financed.