Seniors a reason to block health insurance mega-mergers, Justice Department says
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 21, 2016
Senior citizens risk facing higher prices, lower quality care, and reduced benefits and access to wellness programs if the planned mergers of Anthem and Cigna as well as Aetna and Humana are approved,...
CBO: Social Security, Medicare spending could lead to record debt
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 12, 2016
Spending on Social Security and Medicare could contribute to the highest level of debt relative to gross domestic product ever seen in the United States, according to a report released Tuesday by the Congressional...
Home healthcare faces Supreme Court labor decision, proposed CMS cuts
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jun 27, 2016
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to a rule requiring home health agencies to pay workers minimum wage and overtime, and CMS proposed reducing Medicare payments to home health agencies...
CMS responds to OIG concerns about hospice care in assisted living
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 21, 2016
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services indicated that it has not ruled out regulatory reform as it looks to discourage hospice programs from targeting some Medicare beneficiaries who live in assisted...
OIG: Assisted living hospice care payment reform a top priority
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 20, 2016
Reducing financial incentives for hospices to target some Medicare beneficiaries living in assisted living communities should be a top priority for CMS, according to a new report from the HHS Office of...
Short-term care insurance will be focus of consumer education effort
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 14, 2016
A national advertising effort that a professional society says is the first to inform consumers of insurance that could cover the cost of assisted living has been announced.
Survey reveals barriers to end-of-life, advance care planning discussions
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 14, 2016
A new survey reveals barriers to discussions about end-of-life and advance care planning, areas recently identified as priorities for assisted living by an AMDA committee.
Geography, income affect life expectancy: study
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 11, 2016
Geography plays a big role in what is arguably the ultimate measure of health — longevity, especially among those with lower incomes, according to a new study published online by JAMA.
CCAs can lower person-centered dementia care costs
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 10, 2016
Care coordinator assistants can be a low-cost way to facilitate person-centered care for those with dementia and their caregivers, according to a new study.
Genesis names first chief medical officer
Apr 07, 2016
Genesis HealthCare has named Richard A. Feifer, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., as chief medical officer of Genesis Physician Services, a new position.