Falls and chronic conditions beget more falls, Medicare survey data show
Older people who report at least one fall are twice as likely to have another fall in the same year, and chronic conditions raise the risk even higher, a new review shows.
Medicare
The overlooked elephant in the room
Almost lost amid the chaos and carnage depicted when an angry mob descended on the U.S. Capitol last week was a development that may affect long-term care more directly.
Providers get relief from Medicare cuts, but no liability protections in year-end legislative packages
Providers are set to receive extended relief from the 2% Medicare sequester cuts under a year-end legislative relief deal that was finalized by federal lawmakers on Monday. However, they will have to wait for liability protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits after such shields were not included in the pending COVID-19 relief package.
AHCA and other groups pushing for extension of 2% Medicare sequester cut; Congress reaches deal on third relief bill
Healthcare providers, including nursing homes, are demanding continued relief from the 2% Medicare sequester cuts through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief would help improve the “relatively dire financial outlook” providers are facing thanks to the public health emergency, four top provider groups warned.
7 top long-term care stories of 2020
Here’s a rundown of the top 7 stories that McKnight’s Long-Term Care News readers opened over the past 12 months.
Therapy providers urge Congress to pass new bill that would provide protection from scheduled Medicare cuts
Physical, occupational and speech language therapy providers would receive critical relief from the scheduled 9% cut in Medicare payments under newly introduced federal legislation.
Nursing home advocates warn no Medicare pay update could hurt providers
The American Health Care Association is challenging the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission after it recommended temporary solutions, versus permanent payment changes, for providers negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Unconscionable’ CMS services cuts may hamstring providers, LTC advocates say
CMS has finalized its calendar 2021 physician pay rule, which cuts physical and occupational therapy payments for nursing home patients by 9%. Some are questioning the timing of the cuts.
Financial ‘symptoms’ of dementia seen up to 6 years before diagnosis
Missed bill payments and lowered credit scores may be evident years before a dementia diagnosis, a new study shows. Earlier diagnosis could help protect patients’ financial well-being, investigators say.
Feds now expanding distribution of BinaxNOW test kits to ‘green’ counties
Nursing homes in areas that have low COVID-19 positivity rates are now receiving additional rapid testing options from the federal government for the first time, according to a top health official.
