As policymakers in Washington, DC and beyond continue a national discussion about the state of long-term care in the United States, a critical component of the discussion is the quality of care provided in nursing homes across the … [Read more...] about Debunking Nursing Home Myths about Quality of Care and Enforcement of Federal Care Standards
Skilled Nursing Facility
HHS Announces First Guidance Implementing Supreme Court’s Decision on the Defense of Marriage Act
From CMA Press Release, Thursday, August 29, 2013...[T]he Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a memo clarifying that all beneficiaries in private Medicare plans have access to equal coverage when it comes to care in a nursing … [Read more...] about HHS Announces First Guidance Implementing Supreme Court’s Decision on the Defense of Marriage Act
CMS Addresses Observation Status Again… And Again, No Help for Beneficiaries
As part of the annual update to inpatient hospital reimbursement under the Medicare program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is again considering observation status. This time CMS is proposing "a time-based … [Read more...] about CMS Addresses Observation Status Again… And Again, No Help for Beneficiaries
Medicare Paid $5.1 Billion to SNFs that Did Not Provide Care-Planning and Discharge-Planning (February 2013 OIG Report)
In its most recent report on nursing home payments and quality, February 2013, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that many skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) failed to provide adequate care … [Read more...] about Medicare Paid $5.1 Billion to SNFs that Did Not Provide Care-Planning and Discharge-Planning (February 2013 OIG Report)
Nursing Home Enforcement by United States Attorneys: What Happened to the Regulatory System?
Two recent cases – one in Georgia and the other in Pennsylvania – enforce nursing home quality of care standards through actions by United States Attorneys. In neither case had the regulatory agencies cited deficiencies for … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Enforcement by United States Attorneys: What Happened to the Regulatory System?
The Worst-Performing Nursing Facilities Are Seldom Sanctioned; Self-Reporting is Not an Accurate Quality Measurement
According to an analysis by the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) few sanctions are imposed for the poor care provided by nursing facilities identified by the Federal Government as among those providing the poorest quality of care and quality … [Read more...] about The Worst-Performing Nursing Facilities Are Seldom Sanctioned; Self-Reporting is Not an Accurate Quality Measurement
Déjà Vu All Over Again: CMS Decides (Again) Not to Decide About Observation Status
On July 30, 2012, as part of proposed rulemaking on the outpatient prospective payment system, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) asked for public comment on potential policy options related to "observation … [Read more...] about Déjà Vu All Over Again: CMS Decides (Again) Not to Decide About Observation Status
How the Ryan Budget (and Republican Platform) Would Hurt Current Nursing Home Residents
In March 2012, the House of Representatives passed the House Budget Committee Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolution, The Path to Prosperity: A Blueprint for American Renewal – called here, the Ryan Budget.[1] In August 2012, the … [Read more...] about How the Ryan Budget (and Republican Platform) Would Hurt Current Nursing Home Residents
CMS Invites Public Comment on Observation Status
August 9, 2012 Note to Alert readers: This Posted version contains additional information beyond that in the emailed version.As part of a notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2012, the Centers for Medicare … [Read more...] about CMS Invites Public Comment on Observation Status
Compare Hospitals or Nursing Homes Using Medicare’s Online Tools
Two websites that help Americans make informed choices about hospitals and nursing homes have been redesigned and will make more information available to the public, CMS announced on July 19, 2012.The two sites – Hospital Compare and … [Read more...] about Compare Hospitals or Nursing Homes Using Medicare’s Online Tools