(LONG-TERM CARE) Advocacy Group Rails Against MedPAC Recommendations
The American Health Care Association (AHCA), one of the nation's largest advocacy groups for long-term care workers, is harshly critical of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) recommendation to Congress calling for no increase in funding for skilled nursing facilities. Login to see complete story
01/20/2010 11:53 AM
(MENTAL HEALTH) Company's Unique Business Plan Includes Behavioral Healthcare for Seniors
Haven Behavioral Healthcare (HBH), based in Nashville, TN, is a senior-centered behavioral health company specializing in care for a demographic disproportionately affected by mental and emotional issues. Founded in 2006 by CEO Vernon Westrich, the company has facilities in Tennessee and five more states -- Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia -- and recently received funding from private equity groups interested in helping it expand its unique business model. Login to see complete story
01/19/2010 12:59 PM
Advocacy
(MEDICARE) Dissecting the Part B Premium: Who Pays What and Why?
The Part B premium is more complicated this year, say analysts at the Center for Medicare Advocacy. There have always been variations in the premium amount paid by different beneficiaries -- largely due to the application of late enrollment penalties. In 2010, however, the lack of a Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment for 2010 creates new wrinkles in Part B premium calculations for those whose premiums are based on Medicare's standard premium amount, CMA's experts say. Login to see complete story
01/22/2010 2:54 PM
(PHYSICIAN PAY) Groups Urge Changes in Medicare Physician Payments
The American Medical Association, AARP and the Military Officers Association of America today (Jan. 21) launched an advertising campaign urging the Senate to approve a House-passed bill (HR 3961) that would establish a new system of paying physicians for Medicare services that would head off a 21% cut scheduled to go into effect March 1 under the current system. Login to see complete story
01/21/2010 4:55 PM
Capitol Hill
(MEDICARE) GAO Report Details Marketing Abuses in Medicare Advantage
A new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Medicare Advantage (MA) plans shows that 73 MA providers representing 7.4 million MA beneficiaries -- about 71% of all beneficiaries -- were penalized for marketing abuses from January 2006 through February 2009. Abuses include activities to mislead or confuse beneficiaries or to misrepresent MA plans. Punitive actions taken so far range from initial notices of noncompliance and warning letters to monetary penalties. Login to see complete story
01/20/2010 11:49 AM
Funding Opportunities
(GRANTS) 60 Funding Opportunities Available for Small Rural Providers
The Department of Health & Human Services' Health Resources & Services Administration is seeking applications for its Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement program. Eligibility is extended to rural public, rural nonprofit or other providers of healthcare services, such as a critical access hospital or rural health clinic. Some $6 million is being made available to support 60 awards of up to $100,000 each. The deadline for applications is March 15. Login to see complete story
01/20/2010 2:34 PM
Innovation
(VISION) Unique Eyewear Wins Award for Technological Innovation
A revolutionary new system of eyewear which utilizes two lenses, TruFocals, has received the coveted "Best of What's New Award" from Popular Science magazine. TruFocals is eyewear technology that is 14 years in the making. It is the brainchild of inventor and physicist Stephen Kurtin. His new lens system increases comfort for seniors, most of whom are used to getting by with limited vision despite corrective eyewear which has remained largely unchanged for decades. Login to see complete story
01/19/2010 11:58 AM
Services
(AUDIOCONFERENCE) CD Publications' Event Cuts Through Red Tape for Grant-Seekers
CD Publications' Jan. 21 audioconference, "Getting the Most Out of FY 2010 Federal Funding," provided listeners with more than 90 minutes of tips and techniques specifically designed to help grant-seekers succeed in winning 2010 federal funding. The program cut through the tangled web of government red tape by utilizing the expertise of two authorities in the field.
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01/21/2010 4:22 PM
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