The proposal would provide resources to state and local public health officials to increase early detection and diagnosis, reduce risk, and prevent avoidable hospitalizations, among other measures.

Analysts at NIC described the new data as “notable” given the trend in recent years for decreased occupancy in the third quarter and the more general pressure on SNFs from shorter lengths of stay.

Federal reporters said site-neutral payment should be implemented to generate cost savings and efficiencies in the Medicare program, a topic that has gained in prominence among PAC providers.

Gifford offered solutions aimed at how to lower the risk of viral infections from entering a nursing facility and how to decrease the risk of viruses spreading between residents.

​Measures to ensure facilities are staffed adequately by sharing more payroll-based staffing data with the states could prove counterproductive, AHCA warns.

A new study examines how SNFs could or should manage the prescription of antipsychotics at a time practitioners are using greater caution than ever in how they administer them.

New reimbursement model to go into effect Oct. 1, 2019, under the SNF Prospective Payment System for classifying patients in a covered Medicare Part A stay.

The rapid aging of the worldwide population is opening the door to the use of artificial intelligence to help care for people with chronic diseases as health care delivery adapts to increased demands.

With the start to flu season near, a recent report by The Gerontology Society of America gives providers recommendations on how to advance immunization efforts in their facilities.

Long term, post-acute care providers should know the trend for states to use managed care organizations for Long Term Services and Supports populations remains red hot.

With Democrats taking control of the House, the issue of Medicaid reform should be effectively squelched, says an expert.

While parts of the rule remain a challenge to SNFs, an AHCA spokesman tells Provider that “overall, the final rule either improved proposed policies or at least maintained the status quo.”

The state gubernatorial races could affect the Medicaid program if a number of governorships shift to Democrats, says an expert.

Group backs efforts to identify new antikickback statute “safe harbors” to enable care coordination and allow more LT/PAC providers to participate.

How SNFs are rated on various quality indicators, such as the rate of successful return to home or community from a SNF, is now available on the Nursing Home Compare website.

Elections too close to call, but advocacy group’s priorities remain intact regardless of how the votes fall.

In a report that seeks to address whether Medicare Advantage plans misused Medicare program dollars that CMS paid for beneficiary health care, OIG found plans “overturned 75 percent of their own denials during 2014-16.”

AHCA has offered comments to CMS on the agency’s proposed changes to ACOs, asking for more opportunities for SNFs to participate.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living have elected new boards for the 2018-2019 term.

A new website helps providers recruit and retain LT/PAC workers.

Providers convene at national Convention, receive advice to stay ahead of challenges.

Researchers have found that actual episode costs for certain cancers may differ by as much as 8 percent, on average, from predicted episode costs.