The Federal Trade Commission and the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services have “launched a cross-government public inquiry into private-equity and other corporations’ increasing control over health care.” They held a joint virtual … [Read more...] about Information Requested on “Corporate Greed in Health Care”
Quality of Care
Study Examines Health Equity Differences between Medicare and Medicare Advantage
A recent Health Affairs study, Gaps In Quality Of Care Not Consistent Between Traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage For Racial And Ethnic Groups, examined gaps in quality of care when comparing traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage for … [Read more...] about Study Examines Health Equity Differences between Medicare and Medicare Advantage
CMS Must Strengthen Federal Criteria for Certifying Nursing Homes for Medicare and Medicaid Reimbursement
One of the best predictors of quality is past performance. If an operator provides poor care in its facilities, it is likely to provide poor care in any additional facilities that it may purchase or operate. As a result, one of the most effective … [Read more...] about CMS Must Strengthen Federal Criteria for Certifying Nursing Homes for Medicare and Medicaid Reimbursement
Sufficient Nursing Facility Staffing Saves Lives, Insufficient Staffing Harms and Kills
4.1 Hours of Nursing Care Per Resident Day Are the Bare MinimumAnalyses of nurse staffing levels at nursing facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic find – what all studies of staffing have consistently found for decades – higher staffing levels … [Read more...] about Sufficient Nursing Facility Staffing Saves Lives, Insufficient Staffing Harms and Kills
CMS to Review Five Medicare Claims from Each Skilled Nursing Facility
The Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) program projects an improper Medicare Part A payment rate to skilled nursing facilities (SNF) of 15.1% in 2022, nearly double the 7.79% improper payment rate in 2021, and the highest improper payment rate … [Read more...] about CMS to Review Five Medicare Claims from Each Skilled Nursing Facility
CMS Report Highlights Quality of Care Concerns in MA
A recent report released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health, Disparities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage Associated with Dual Eligibility or Eligibility for a Low-Income Subsidy and Disability, … [Read more...] about CMS Report Highlights Quality of Care Concerns in MA
Gaps in Hospice Abuse and Neglect Reporting
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently reviewed requirements for reporting abuse and neglect allegations to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). GAO concluded gaps existed in requirements for hospices as compared … [Read more...] about Gaps in Hospice Abuse and Neglect Reporting
Study Finds Relationship Between Religiously Affiliated Nursing Homes and Standard of Care Complaints and Violations
A study published by researchers from Yale School of Management and London Business School determined that violations of standards of care are more severe in religiously affiliated (RA) nursing homes compared to secular facilities.[1] Through an … [Read more...] about Study Finds Relationship Between Religiously Affiliated Nursing Homes and Standard of Care Complaints and Violations
Second State Report Recommends Barring Medicaid Payments to Chronically Poor-Performing Nursing Facilities
In a new report, New Jersey’s Acting State Comptroller identifies the 15 consistently lowest-performing nursing facilities in the state and recommends implementing changes to the Medicaid program that would require these facilities, in a phased … [Read more...] about Second State Report Recommends Barring Medicaid Payments to Chronically Poor-Performing Nursing Facilities
Elder Justice Newletter, Vol. 3 Issue 8 Now Available
In the Elder Justice Newsletter, we highlight citations, including deficiencies related to abuse, neglect, and substandard care, that have been identified as not causing any resident harm. The goal of this brief newsletter is to shed light on … [Read more...] about Elder Justice Newletter, Vol. 3 Issue 8 Now Available