In the quest for Medicare patients, Yelp stars outshine Care Compare
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 22, 2023
More consumers are turning to social media review platforms to help choose a nursing home for family members, but the reviews can be skewed by anecdotal and personal evidence, a new study shows.
AARP stands with HHS in plan to reduce drug costs
By
Kristen Fischer
Sep 19, 2023
AARP and AARP Foundation are getting involved in a lawsuit between Merck Co. and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over Medicare’s new authority to negotiate lower prescription drug prices....
Study: 1 in 5 people on Medicare travel more than 50 miles to see neurologist
By
Kristen Fischer
Sep 14, 2023
Nearly 20% of people on Medicare have to travel 50 or more miles to see their neurologists — and that’s just one way. This means that people who receive care for neurological issues have to make quite...
Physical therapy group opposes proposed 3.6% reimbursement cut
By
Kristen Fischer
Sep 14, 2023
The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to revisit its Medicare doctor fee proposal for next year, saying the changes could...
Stuck in the middle, LTC pharmacies could be dangerously squeezed by drug price negotiations
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 01, 2023
Any lower drug prices that result from White House efforts to negotiate on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries may lead to short-term gains for nursing homes, but there also could be a steep price to pay...
Staying the course: Lessons from ponies for upcoming Medicare changes
By
Renee Kinder
Aug 31, 2023
There’s a certain kind of magic when watching eq competitions, especially when it involves someone dear to you. Over the weekend, our daughter, Emmy Grace, took part in her first hunter jumper 2-foot...
Skilled nursing care’s cloudy Medicare future
By
Brendan Williams
Aug 18, 2023
A net gain of $1.4 billion for a sector comprised of over 15,000 nursing homes somewhat pales in comparison to a looming CMS staffing mandate estimated to cost nursing homes $11.3 billion a year.
Reintroduced observation status bill could take edge off Medicare 3-day rule
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 10, 2023
If the legislation passes, more post-acute patients could qualify for care in skilled nursing facilities, a reprieve for providers following the end of pandemic-era waivers, industry advocates said.
Revised MDS assessments of patient mood disorders may depress payments
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 10, 2023
Clinicians should remain vigilant for missed diagnoses — and the potential for reduced Medicare payment rates — as MDS changes take effect Oct. 1, industry experts said.
CMS unveils program to improve dementia care, ease unpaid caregiver strain
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 01, 2023
The federal government is hoping to do more for people with dementia on Medicare — and their unpaid caregivers.