Nursing Convalescent Homes

Read the latest Medicaid News for articles relating to senior living and elderly health issues.

How To Find Suitable Private Health Insurance
published on February 20th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Private health insurance is the main source of health coverage for the majority of people in the United States. Approximately 58% of all Americans have private health care coverage. For elderly citizens and eligible children and families from low-income households, public programs are the primary source of health cover. Public programs include Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP. TRICARE and the Veterans programs also provide some coverage. If you are not covered by a publicly funded program, or if your coverage is only partial, you will need to have some kind of private health insurance... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Washington state to restrict emergency Medicaid payments
published on February 20th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Initially blocked in court, the state Medicaid agency will deny payment for more than 500 conditions if treated in emergency departments instead of physician offices. (Source: American Medical News)
Those with Part D want cheaper pharmacies
published on February 19th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said data shows a growing popularity among those in Medicare Part D in choosing plans with lower costs. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)
2012 Physician Fee Schedule Overview
published on February 17th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Presents an overview of the physician fee schedule. Includes updates on the final rule as well as resources to download. -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Source: Rural web sites and other tools via the Rural Assistance Center)
CWF president argues with feds over healthcare spending
published on February 17th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund and a nationally recognized economist, has a bone to pick with the federal government's recent report on U.S. healthcare spending. Growth in U.S. health spending remained slow in 2010 and the health share of the gross domestic product was unchanged from 2009, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported. Election Feature Content: No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)MedWorm Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors
Hospital Compare Now Reports CLABSI Rates
published on February 17th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service's Hospital Compare has begun publically reporting central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in intensive care units throughout the United States. This new reporting initiative will show data voluntarily reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network. This data collection began in January 2011. According to the CDC, public reporting is part of a wider effort to hold hospitals more accountable for reducing infection rates. The CDC estimates that about 41,000 CLABSIs occurred in U.S. hospitals in 2009. Studies show that up to 25% of patients who contract a CLABSI will die from the infection. Caring for a patient with a CLABSI adds about $17,000 to the costs of hospitalization......
Chicago News Cooperative: Illinois Medicaid Cuts Will Hit a System Already in Crisis
published on February 17th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
The cuts, expected to be announced next week, will exacerbate a state health care system that is already plagued by fraud, inefficiency and unsustainable costs. (Source: NYT Health)
Medicare Program; Reporting and Returning of Overpayments
published on February 16th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Comments are being requested on this proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would require providers and suppliers receiving funds under the Medicare program to report and return overpayments by the later of the date which is 60 days after the date on which the overpayment was identified; or any corresponding cost report is due, if applicable. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
CMS rejects California Medicaid co-pays
published on February 16th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
The state might appeal the decision, which would create a $600 million hole in its fiscal 2013 budget. (Source: American Medical News)
ECRI consensus: CMS should revise new preventive maintenance directive
published on February 16th, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Should the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revise its new directive on the preventive maintenance (PM) of medical devices? Presenters at ECRI Institute’s Feb. 15 webinar addressing the matter answered that question with a resounding Yes—and 221 members of the audience who voted in a flash poll during the event expressed a majority agreement. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)MedWorm Message: Please have a look at this new site driven by MedWorm: The Breast Cancer Daily