Disparities seen in left ventricular assist device use for heart failure in seniors
Aug 01, 2022
The authors say that disparities in left ventricular assist device use by race and sex likely are driven by clinician decision-making.
Proposed rule would reinstate gender identity, sexual orientation protections in CMS regulations
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 25, 2022
Protections on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation would be reinstated in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulations under a proposed rule announced Monday by U.S. Department...
Minimum staffing levels would cost nursing homes $10 billion a year: report
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Jul 20, 2022
The federal government’s proposed minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes could cost the industry $10 billion a year because tens of thousands of additional caregivers would need to be hired,...
Leverage payment integrity solutions to ensure proper billing of telehealth services
By
Subrahmanyam Mantha
Jul 07, 2022
Don’t be surprised if the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services continues the COVID-19 public health emergency in mid-July, based on what government officials have said. If it ends, however, the...
Medicare could have saved $3.6 billion on generic drugs in 2020
Jun 20, 2022
The authors say that Medicare could have saved up to $3.6 billion by purchasing generics at Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. prices.
Alabama, Michigan, Florida lead nation in Medicare Advantage enrollment rates
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Jun 16, 2022
Medicare Advantage enrollment rates now top more than 50% of Medicare enrollees in 123 congressional districts, according to new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data analyzed by the Better Medicare...
Medicare spending spikes for dementia diagnoses in seniors
Jun 13, 2022
Medicare spending was higher for adults with a formal clinical diagnosis of dementia versus a positive screening for cognitive impairment.
Action needed for long-term sustainability of Medicare, Social Security, Yellen says
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Jun 06, 2022
Medicare and Social Security trustees reports released last week showed “strong economic recovery and growth in the past year,” Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said. In the long term, however, both...
Greater nurse staffing tied to better sepsis outcomes
Jun 01, 2022
An increase in registered nurse hours per patient day was associated with a 3% decrease in 60-day mortality.
Staff COVID-19 vaccinations have risen 25 percentage points under CMS mandate
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
May 18, 2022
COVID-19 vaccination rates among nursing home staff jumped 25 percentage points nationally thanks in no small part to a CMS mandate imposed earlier this year.