Free Long-Term Care e-Newsletters

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer MDS 3.0 Update

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly

CLTC Weekly is a free email newsletter that delivers the latest weekly news on the long-term care industry, including important CMS regulatory changes, a tip of the week, and much, much more.

Subscribe »

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2002

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly

Issue 51, December 27, 2007

• Congress passes Medicare bill before winter recess

  President Bush is expected to sign the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007...

• CMS announces sites for demonstration program

  CMS has announced the next phase in a demonstration program evaluating the care that Medicare...

• Tip of the Week: Eleven tips for cutting the risk of dehydration in residents

  Based on the findings of a study that looked at nutrition and hydration in nursing home residents...

• This week's question: Does your facility use restorative nursing aides?

   

• A message from our partner

  Wound Care Alert How to deal with your dermatological wound care agent options for 2008

Issue 50, December 20, 2007

• Revisit user fee program won't go away

  CMS has published another interim final rule with comment period (CMS-2278-IFC2) that implements...

• Survey: Alzheimer's an issue in upcoming election

  In a national survey, more than two out of three Americans polled (68%) think it is important to...

• Tip of the week: Preventing demand bills that tie up your SNF's cash flow

  Let's say your skilled nursing facility (SNF) discovers during the admission process that a...

Issue 49, December 13, 2007

• CMS revises exhibits to the State Operations Manual

  CMS has conducted a comprehensive review of the exhibits to the State Operations Manual (SOM) and...

• New resources look at nursing home reform 20 years after OBRA

  The Kaiser Family Foundation has released resources that examine the results of the Omnibus Budget...

• Tip of the week: Motivating staff to complete the MDS on time

  Nancy Foltin is a registered nurse, but when reimbursement became tied to the Minimum Data Set...

• This week's question: Does your facility use antipsychotic drugs "off-label" to calm residents with dementia?

  Go to http://www.hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 48, December 6, 2007

• FDA advises abandoning Vail enclosed beds

  FDA provided final recommendations for users of Vail Enclosed Bed Systems that updates the Agency's...

• Help on the way for therapy certification requirement

  The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule will ease the certification requirement for the plan...

• Tip of the Week: What risk assessors are looking for

  Now more than ever, it is important to understand risk exposure as the number of insurance arriers...

Issue 47, November 29, 2007

• First national database to track long-term care quality

  The National Institute on Aging has awarded Brown University's Center for Gerontology and Health...

• CMS sets its sights on poor-performing SNFs

  CMS has issued a memo aimed at improving the national Special Focus Facility (SFF) initiative. The...

• Tip of the week: How to keep your medical records safe

  Disasters can strike your facility at anytime and without warning. There are five steps to keeping...

• This week's question: Has your SNF ever billed for the 128% AIDS add-on?

  Go to http://www.hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 46, November 15, 2007

• Residents benefit from improved vision care

  In findings published this week in the Archives of Ophthalmology, researchers from the University...

• AANAC member survey shows where the time goes

  The American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators (AANAC)  asked members to estimate...

• Tip of the Week: The importance of criminal background checks

  As high staff turnover rates and financial hardship continue to be the reality for nursing homes...

Issue 45, November 8, 2007

• WOCN position statement on pressure ulcer staging

  The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society has published a new position statement on...

• Family caregiver legislation is introduced

  U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced federal legislation...

• Tip of the Week: Is your nursing home a five-star dining facility?

  Nursing homes now face the growing demands of CMS to improve residents' quality of life, which...

• This week's question: Does your SNF use a certified coder for its ICD-9 coding?

  Go to http://www.hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 44, November 1, 2007

• Nursing home rates show slight rise last year

  The average cost for private nursing home rooms increased nationally by three percent in the last...

• Nursing home rates show slight rise last year

  The average cost for private nursing home rooms increased nationally by three percent in the last...

• LTC insurance buyers are getting younger

  The age at which people begin purchasing long-term care insurance (LTCI) has fallen below an...

• LTC insurance buyers are getting younger

  The age at which people begin purchasing long-term care insurance (LTCI) has fallen below an...

• Tip of the Week: How to hang on to good employees

  Retaining CNAs is difficult for almost any facility. And with ever-dwindling resources, facilities...

• This week’s question: Does your SNF use a certified coder for its ICD-9 coding?

  Go to http://www.hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

• This week's question: Does your SNF use a certified coder for its ICD-9 coding?

  Go to http://www.hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 43, October 25, 2007

• Project works to end pressure ulcers in nursing homes

  A nationwide project has reduced serious pressure ulcers by more than two-thirds in the 35...

• Medicare cuts could threaten rural seniors, jobs

  An analysis of Congressional Budget Office data suggested that the proposed five-year $2.7 billion...

• Tip of the Week: Protecting your facility when claims are litigated

  Workers' compensation claims tend to proceed to litigation when employees feel they are not getting...

Issue 42, October 18, 2007

• Thirty civil lawsuits await acquitted nursing home owners

  After a three-week trial, Mabel and Sal Manganos owners of the Lousiana nursing home where 35...

• CMS provides Medicare fact sheet

  CMS provides information on the 2008 Medicare premium and deductible information in its Medicare...

• A message from our partner: Assess your wound care agent options for 2008

  Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment: Currently the Only Enzymatic Debrider Listed on the 2008 Medicare...

• CMS moves mandatory NPI use deadline

  CMS moves mandatory NPI use deadline CMS has announced that since the majority of providers are...

• Tip of the Week: Seven steps to prevent elopement

  If you want to guard against resident elopement, consider putting the following policies and...

• This week's question: How likely would it be that your SNF might face the Survey Revisit User's Fee?

  Go to http://www.hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 41, October 11, 2007

• Insurance reducing experimental drug coverage

  Health insurers are limiting coverage of high-cost specialty drugs in an effort to control...

• Humana owes Medicare $728 million

  Medicare should expect a $728 million boost from Humana, Inc. in the coming year according to the...

• Tip of the Week: Assuring family that you're caring properly for their loved one

  Showing adult children that you're caring properly for their elderly parents takes perseverance. An...

Issue 40, October 4, 2007

• Next year to bring 3.1% Medicare premium increase

  In 2008, Medicare beneficiaries can expect to see their Medicare premium increase to $96.40 a...

• Study shows Medicaid underfunds long-term care

  A recent study found that Medicaid is under funding long term care by $4.4 billion annually...

• Research find link between diabetes and Alzheimer's

  A recent study found an association between Alzheimer's disease and diabetes, according to The...

• Tip of the Week: Twelve great ways to market your facility

  Does your nursing home's marketing plan rely heavily on a glossy four-color magazine boasting your...

• This week's question: Which payer source gives you the most billing trouble?

  Go to http://www.hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 39, September 27, 2007

• CMS adds another Medicare administrative contractor to the list

  CMS has awarded the Madison-based Wisconsin Physicians Services Health Insurance Corp. (WPS) a...

• OIG releases healthcare quality guide

  In response to consumers demanding more information on quality healthcare, the Office of Inspector...

• New ICD-9 coding guidelines are here

  CMS and the other cooperating parties have issued new ICD-9-CM Official Guidelines for coding and...

• Tip of the Week: Improving your activities department

  Check out some of the following tips for improving your activity options.

Issue 38, September 20, 2007

• Education a top priority for new association

  A long-term care association dedicated to achieving excellence in long-term care nursing by uniting...

• CMS narrows use of its paper-based manuals

  It's been several years since CMS launched the Internet-only manual system. However, the agency...

• 2008 Part D premiums change

  The actual average premium that Medicare beneficiaries pay for standard Part D coverage in 2008...

• This week's question: How does your facility feel about the current state of

  This week's question: How does your facility feel about the current state of criminal background...

• This week's question: Has F-Tag #329 changed your facility's use of injectable medications?

  This week's question: Does your facility want to participate in CMS' PAC-PRD demonstration? Go to...

Issue 37, September 13, 2007

• AANAC forms nurse executive association

  The American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators is expanding its mission by creating a...

• Thirty civil lawsuits await acquitted nursing home owners

  After a three-week trial, Mabel and Sal Manganos owners of the Lousiana nursing home where 35...

• Tip of the Week: Cure for the empty-bed syndrome

  If you're like most nursing home administrators, you usually have a few empty beds in your facility...

• Report finds nursing homes continue to segregate

  long term care report

Issue 36, September 6, 2007

• Long-term care associations launch ad campaign

  In a campaign to warn the public about the possible $2.7 billion cuts to Medicare, the American...

• Study finds that nursing homes need high priority during disaster response

  National, state, and local disaster response agencies should provide nursing homes with the same...

• Residents sue Illinois over care options

  Five disabled nursing home residents in Chicago are suing the state, claiming they weren't provided...

• This week's question: Does your facility want to participate in CMS' PAC-PRD demonstration?

  This week's question: Does your facility want to participate in CMS' PAC-PRD demonstration?

Issue 35, August 30, 2007

• LA Supreme Court: Blanco must testify in St. Rita’s case

  Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco’s request to be exempt from testifying in the St...

• Study: Ninety percent of U.S. seniors now have drug coverage

  Proponents of Medicare Part D got a boost this week with new research from...

• Just out: Medicare Learning Network’s second Guide

  CMS’ Medicare Learning Network this week published a second edition of The Guide to Medicare...

Issue 34, August 23, 2007

• Medicare: No hospital reimbursement for pressure ulcers

  Hospitals will no longer receive Medicare reimbursement for eight preventable infections after...

• Median salaries for nursing home managers on the rise

  The national median salary for directors of nursing at nursing homes is $72,515, up 5.2% from...

• CMS wants you for PAC-PRD

  Want your facility to be a part of CMS' upcoming Post Acute Care Payment Reform Demonstration...

• This week’s question: Will your facility request to participate in CMS’ PAC-PRD demonstration?

  This week’s question: Does your facility want to participate in CMS’ PAC-PRD...

Issue 33, August 16, 2007

• CMS releases new F-tag for paid feeding assistants

  CMS released draft guidance this week for F-tag #373, which covers nursing home use of paid feeding...

• Capitol Hill SCHIP wars take to the airwaves

  Several Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives launched a radio and telephone call...

• Joint Commission restructures EM guidelines

  The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, this week tweaked its emergency management...

Issue 32, August 9, 2007

• Are Part D beneficiaries denied 'off-label' drugs?

  A Medicare patient advocacy group blasted the Medicare Part D prescription drug program this week...

• CMS switches to broadband for MDS submissions

  Starting last month, CMS began a state-by-state transition fromAT&T’s dial-up service to...

• Expect more state agencies to talk to ombudsman

  CMS' survey-and-certification letter S&C-07-26 reminds state survey agencies that they must...

• This week's question: Is your facility concerned about CMS' switch to broadband

  This week's question: Is your facility concerned about CMS' switch to broadband Internet for MDS...

• Tip of the Week: Quick tip to promote positive attitudes

  You can lose a lot of good nursing home employees if your work environment is too negative. If...

Issue 31, August 2, 2007

• CMS makes it official: 3.3 percent increase in FY08

  CMS confirmed this week that Medicare payments for SNFs will increase by 3.3% in 2008, or...

• Observers: Competition for Sunrise will be fierce

  Industry analysts said this week the pool of potential buyers for Sunrise Senior Living will be...

• Industry associations blast House's SCHIP plans

  The American Health Care Association (AHCA) criticized a bill currently in the U.S. House of...

Issue 30, July 26, 2007

• CMS to discuss PAC-PRD today

  Today at 2:30 p.m. Eastern, CMS will host a two-hour Open Door Forum (ODF) on its upcoming Post...

• Associations weigh in on Medicare/Medicaid preservation

  The U.S. Senate Finance Committee this week approved legislation that would bolster the State...

• NJHA collaborative reports success against pressure ulcers

  The New Jersey Hospital Association's (NJHA) Pressure Ulcer Collaborative announced a 70% reduction...

• This week's question: How does your facility feel about CMS' plan to develop a

  This week's question: How does your facility feel about CMS' plan to develop a new postacute data...

Issue 29, July 19, 2007

• CMS affirms canopy, sprinkler, and fire safety requirements

  Most canopies and large overhangs in nursing homes must have sprinklers, at least in facilities...

• Katrina neglect case heats up in New Orleans

  The case of Salvador and Mabel Mangano of St. Rita's Nursing Home in New Orleans saw a break for...

• CDC includes long-term care in broader isolation guidelines

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 25 released a new set of guidelines...

Issue 28, July 12, 2007

• CMS releases revised accidents and supervision F-tag

  CMS issued revised guidance to its accidents and supervision F-tags (#323 and #324) last week...

• Salary survey for CCRCs puts director median near $118K

  Executive directors at United States continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) earn a median...

• FDA signs off on Alzheimer’s drug patch

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first skin patch for treatment of...

• This week's question: Per CMS' revisions to F-tag #323

  This week's question: Per CMS' revisions to F-tag #323, accidents and supervision, what specific...

Issue 27, July 5, 2007

• Patient transfers get scrutiny from OIG, CMS

  Following a pointed report from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), CMS has promised greater...

• Manor Care goes private

  Manor Care Inc. agreed to become a private company this week, courtesy of the Carlyle Group and a...

• CMS clarifies citizenship guidelines for Medicaid

  CMS this week released final regulations for establishing citizenship under Medicaid eligibility...

Issue 26, June 28, 2007

• MedPAC: Medicare efficiency in question

  A new report by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), advised that Medicare needs to...

• Joint Commission announces 2008 patient safety goals

  The Joint Commission last week announced its 2008 Patient Safety Goals, including new anticoagulant...

• Does nursing home admission hasten Alzheimer’s?

  A study appearing in the June issue of the American Journal of Psychology suggests that placing...

• This week's question: How concerned is your facility with the Joint Commission's

  This week's question: How concerned is your facility with the Joint Commission's National Patient...

Issue 25, June 21, 2007

• Study: Part D still a navigational mess

  While the successes of the Medicare Part D prescription drug program have been documented...

• Dementia studies take aim with sensor technology

  Researchers with Oregon Health & Science University have begun placing monitors in 300 Portland...

• Meet the Campaign to Improve Assisted Living

  The Campaign to Improve Assisted Living launched over Mother's Day weekend in May, and is now...

Issue 24, June 14, 2007

• Heavy hit for Florida SNF after OIG findings

  A new review by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) determined the services on rehabilitation...

• Senate: Time to tighten background checks

  A bill that would prevent potential employees with criminal histories from working in long-term...

• Medicaid ponies up $11 billion for nonprofit SNFs in FY04

  A study by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government put Medicaid spending for nonprofit...

Issue 23, June 7, 2007

• Plummeting ratings for Arizona nursing homes

  The number of nursing homes in Arizona found to be in immediate jeopardy has skyrocketed since...

• Genesis shareholders: Merger approved

  Shareholders for Genesis HealthCare Corp. agreed last week to approve a merger with Formation...

• Study: Better diabetes care needed for SNFs

  Researchers at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine concluded last week that...

Issue 22, May 31, 2007

• OSHA issues guidance for pandemic flu

  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) last week served up new guidance for...

• Some Missouri nursing homes escape sprinkler requirements

  State officials in Missouri joined together with healthcare industry officials to demand mandatory...

• CMS broadens assistance rules for Medicare Part D

  Long-term care officials and pharmacy experts received some relief last Friday to a problem that...

• Hormone therapy may prevent dementia in women

  New research indicated dementia may be prevented in women with early administration of hormone...

• This week's question: What aspect of OSHA's 2007 Targeted Inspection Plan most

  This week's question: What aspect of OSHA's 2007 Targeted Inspection Plan concerns your facility...

Issue 21, May 24, 2007

• OSHA includes SNFs in 2007 Targeted Inspection Plan

  The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) last week announced its 2007 Targeted...

• Two years after Katrina, bus evacuations questioned

  When Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, a lack of available...

• Do big chains suffer from standardization?

  A study by the University of Michigan School of Public Health suggested long-term care facilities...

Issue 20, May 17, 2007

• Advancing Excellence wants you

  This week is National Nursing Home Week, and with it comes a renewed membership push from the...

• Ventas notches major growth in Q1

  Louisville, KY-based Ventas Inc. is off to a banner year start in 2007, reporting a net income in...

• Elderly still falling after preventative coaching

  A recent study suggested fall prevention coaching for seniors did not decrease the number of falls...

Issue 19, May 10, 2007

• GAO: Dual-eligible Part D beneficiaries not reimbursed

  According to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), CMS has done a "poor job...

• A new top cat for CMS

  President Bush last week picked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) deputy...

• CDC recommends use of face masks in outbreak

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that both surgical masks and thicker...

• This week’s question: What would you like to see most from CMS’ new?

  This week’s question: What would you like to see most from CMS’ new administrator?

Issue 18, May 3, 2007

• CMS proposes 3.3% increase for SNFs in FY 2008

  This week, CMS proposed a 3.3% increase in the federal market basket rate under SNF PPS for fiscal...

• Kindred re-ups with Ventas; Fillmore after Genesis

  Kindred Healthcare, Inc., announced last week it had renewed the terms of a 64-property lease...

• Study: Removing bed rails doesn't increase fall risk

  The removal of bed rails in nursing homes does not increase the risk of falls, according to a study...

Issue 17, April 26, 2007

• GAO zeroes in on mediocre nursing facilities

  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report last week regarding the lack of...

• Sunrise suspends CFO amid financial probe

  Sunrise Senior Living, Inc., announced yesterday it had suspended its chief financial officer...

• New York SNF settles discrimination claim for $900K

  A New York City nursing home will pay $900,000 to settle a claim that it willfully discriminated...

• This week’s question: How does your facility feel about the latest GAO report?

  This week’s question: How does your facility feel about the latest GAO report on penalties...

Issue 16, April 19, 2007

• CMS posts new NPI explanations

  Although CMS announced a delay in enforcing the National Provider Identifier (NPI) standard, that...

• Ventas tags up; Manor Care on the block?

  Ventas tags up; Manor Care on the block?

• Alzheimer's Association readies first paid ads

  Alzheimer's Association readies first paid ads

Issue 15, April 12, 2007

• On nursing homes, the choice is theirs

  On nursing homes, the choice is theirs

• Medicaid stop in ALF chain latest in trend

  Medicaid stop in ALF chain latest in trend

• Second death in a week for beleaguered Illinois SNF

  Second death in a week for beleaguered Illinois SNF

• This week's question: Is your facility concerned about impending F-tag?

  This week's question: Is your facility concerned about impending F-tag regulations regarding...

Issue 14, April 5, 2007

• Hostage situation at Dallas SNF ends safely

  Hostage situation at Dallas SNF ends safely

• Long-term care costs up 15% per annum in three years

  Long-term care costs up 15% per annum in three years

• Military nursing home under criminal investigation

  Military nursing home under criminal investigation

Issue 13, March 29, 2007

• MedPAC recommends a neutral Medicare payment plan

  Medicare payment plans, such as fee-for-service, private fee-for-service, and managed care plans...

• More short-term residents equals more money for SNFs

  In order to compete with hospitals and rehabilitation facilities for short-term, higher paying...

• NCAL celebrates the older generation

  Legacies of Love, no it's not a new movie title, it's the National Center for Assisted Living's...

Issue 12, March 22, 2007

• CMS nixes reimbursement for several wound care products

  Following a late 2006 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling, CMS will no longer pay for...

• Surprise: CMS announces the arrival of two new F-tags

  By Fall 2007, CMS announced that it will unveil two new F-tags after previously stating that fiscal...

• Delinquent doctors still receive Medicare payments

  Findings from the Government Accountability Office suggest that thousands of doctors and other...

• CMS avoids confusion with provider number name change

  In order to avoid confusing the National Provider Identifier (NPI) with the Medicare/Medicaid...

• Happy Nursing Home Administrators Week!

  Happy Nursing Home Administrators Week!

Issue 11, March 15, 2007

• Lawmakers investigate Medicare fraud

  SNFs take note: The goverment's fraud investigations are paying off-which means that oversight will...

• Deadline extension for Form CMS-1500 (12-90)

  CMS announced last week that it has extended the deadline past the which April 1, 2007, cutoff for...

• Medicare/Medicaid provider numbers stick around

  Effective May 23, the National Provider Identifier (NPI) must be used as the only provider...

Issue 10, March 8, 2007

• More financial assistance yields better results for low income residents

  If low income nursing home residents could receive financial help from their caregivers they would...

• Association rejects MedPAC’s recommendation

  The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is urging Congress to reject the Medicare Payment...

• SNF prices jump again

  In 2006, the average price paid per bed in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) hit $47,400, according...

Issue 9, February 28, 2007

• Resident quality of life a priority for associations

  A leadership council was formed in late February by four long-term care professional organizations...

• Poll shows Americans in support of Medicare drug negotiations

  Poll shows Americans in support of Medicare drug negotiations

• Increase in age and workforce among registered nurses

  The average age of licensed RNs continues to increase, even though the number of RNs grew by almost...

Issue 8, February 21, 2007

• Association supports letter opposing budget cuts

  The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is encouraging its members to support a letter sent to...

• APTA looks to institute a quality reporting system

  Therapists in the future may have to comply with a quality reporting system, which was one of the...

Issue 7, February 15, 2007

• CMS revises the RAI User's Manual

  On February 9, CMS posted the latest updates to the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User's...

• Medicare program on GAO's high-risk list

  Medicare is still considered a high-risk program for fraud and abuse because of the fiscal...

• State fee for nursing homes gets another convert

  Maryland was the latest state to propose a state fee for nursing homes-one that would boost...

Issue 6, February 7, 2007

• Association urges Congress to waive Part D copayment

  The National Coalition for Assisted Living (NCAL) asked Congress in late January to waive the...

• NIC survey projects a positive future for the senior living industry

  Occupancy rates among senior living industry providers swung in the right direction in 2006, and...

• Bush's budget to cut $10 billion in SNF Medicare funding

  On February 5, President Bush proposed paring down the Medicare budget, which will yield the...

• Bush's budget to cut $10 billion in SNF Medicare funding

  On February 5, President Bush proposed paring down the Medicare budget, which will yield the...

Issue 5, January 31, 2007

• Opposition arises to MedPAC's inflation decision

  The American Health Care Association (AHCA) voiced its dissatisfaction with the Medicare Payment...

• Lack of work force may lead to a long-term care crisis

  The long-term care industry will face a staffing shortage due to the increase in demand, said Allen...

• Pharmacy takes on new strategy in acquisitions

  CHEMRX, the nation's fourth largest, privately owned long-term care pharmacy, announced on January...

Issue 4, January 25, 2007

• Gulf coast states receive $175 million in funding

  Skilled nursing facilities (SNF) in the gulf coast region will receive a portion of the $175...

• Employees gain company ownership

  Sometime in the next three months, employees of the Miller's Merry Manor nursing will own the...

• Nursing home residents awarded reimbursement money

  In late December 2006, a federal court settlement was reached to reimburse almost 20,000 defrauded...

Issue 3, January 17, 2007

• Genesis HealthCare sold for $1.7 billion

  On January 16, Genesis HealthCare Corporation announced that Formation Capital and JER Partners...

• Sunrise to recast 2005 financial statement

  In a statement released on January 15, Sunrise Senior Living, Inc., stated the company is weeks...

• CMS issues medical gas storage requirements for nursing homes

  CMS' survey and certification group issued a memorandum on January 12 in regards to the use of...

Issue 2, January 10, 2007

• Diabetics fight blood glucose ruling

  A class action lawsuit filed on December 15, 2006, alleged that the 2007 Medicare Physician Fee...

• Medicare Part D to cost less than projected

  The Bush administration announced in January that Medicare Part D will cost the government $964...

• Disaster plans need improvement in Washington state

  Public health officials are reviewing emergency response following a windstorm in December that...

• CMS waives late fee for low income Part D enrollees

  On January 9, CMS announced it will eliminate the Medicare Part D 2007 late enrollment fee for low...

Issue 1, January 3, 2007

• New deadline for some Part D beneficiaries

  Some Medicare Part D beneficiaries received an extension to the December 31 Medicare Part D...

• CMS automates therapy caps exceptions process

  With CMS' release of Transmittal 1145, nursing homes will lose their ability to use the manual...