SNF Medical Directors Cautiously Optimistic About Fed Plans to Examine Their Work
McKnight's Long-Term Care News
The Office of Inspector General has announced it will examine how nursing homes employ and pay medical directors and track their work. The added scrutiny—and attempts to ensure greater transparency —is something post-acute care physicians say they welcome, as long as the presentation of findings is done appropriately. PALTmed's Alex Bardakh and Dr. Rajeev Kumar, its immediate past president, are quoted. Read more.
McKnight's Senior Living
Just 10 minutes of personalized engagement a day can have a profound positive effect on people living with dementia, according to the results of a new study in JAMDA that included a pilot of the program by a senior living and care provider. Read more.
Nurse Practitioners Critical in Treating Older Adults as Ranks of Geriatricians Shrink
KFF Health News
Nurse practitioners are increasingly having meaningful conversations as their patient base trends older. They are filling a gap expected to widen as the senior population explodes and the number of geriatricians declines. Read more.
Senate GOP Plan Spares Nursing Homes from Provider Tax Cuts, But 'Smaller Medicaid Funds Pie' Looms
Skilled Nursing News
Senate Republicans are pushing a proposal to scale back Medicaid provider taxes to help fund a sweeping budget package, but nursing homes and intermediate care facilities would be exempt from the cuts. Read more.
Supreme Court Ruling Could Affect Falls Risk Assessments, Interventions for Older Adults
McKnight's Senior Living
A mandate for insurance plans to cover recommended preventive care services—including falls risk assessments and interventions—could be overturned by the Supreme Court, negatively affecting the safety and well-being of older adults, according to University of Michigan researchers. Read more.