CQ Editor Discusses Medicare; Millions Missing Out on Coverage

Mary Agnes Carey, associate editor of CQ [Congressional Quarterly] HealthBeat spoke about the FY 2007 budget, the FY 2006 budget reconciliation, and Medicare’s prescription drug program. (Medical News Today) Under the FY 2007, Medicare spending would be cut by $36 billion. Medicare payments would be reduced for certain long term care providers, including home health [...]

Baby Boomers, Aging, and Long Term Care

The generation born during a period of high birth rates between 1946 and 1964 has influenced the culture in many ways. The oldest members of the “baby boomers” are around 60, and in a few years many of them will retire. As this generation ages, the demand for long term care services will increase. Rose [...]

Medicare News: No Coverage for Artificial Spinal Disks

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services seeks to deny coverage for an artificial spinal disk called Charite. Lack of evidence that the surgery required to implant the disk is “reasonable and necessary” is the reason, says CMS. From Kaiser Network’s report: The proposal to deny Medicare coverage for Charite could prompt private health insurers [...]

Medicare News: Ultrasound Coverage

Here is some important news for providers and good news for abdominal aneurysm sufferers: next year Medicare will begin coverage for ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms for high-risk beneficiaries, according to the Kaiser Network. “High-risk” groups include: • Beneficiaries with a history of aneurysms in their family • Males who’ve smoked more than 100 [...]

New Mexico and Nurse Aide Training Waivers

I have been doing some research into the issue of Nurse Aide Training Waivers in New Mexico. Given that many facilities in New Mexico are located in small rural communities, losing Nurse Aide Training due to survey issues is a huge problem for some of those facilities. What can such a facility do when there [...]

Update Your QAAC With Safe Resident Handling and Movement Practices

DADS has posted Provider Letter #05-50 – Safe Resident Handling and Movement Practices. The letter is a result of Senate Bill 1525 (SB 1525), which is codified in Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 256. What the statute requires is that a facility’s Quality Assurance Comittee, shall adopt and ensure implementation of a policy to [...]

Sen. Grassley: “Beneficiaries have significant rights and protections under the new program.”

Several politicians weighed in on the new Medicare prescription drug benefit in The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper. (Medical News Today) Senator Chuck Grassley (pictured), the lone Republican in the group, says although some claim the new drug benefit program is complex, having choices will ensure that beneficiaries will get the best plan for their [...]

Japanese Company Cuts Benefits for U.S. Retirees

In a move that will likely be the subject of many angry letters and op-eds, Nissan, the Japanese car manufacturer, has announced it will cut health insurance and pension benefits for U.S. employees to “remain competitive.” From Medical News Today: Nissan informed workers with manufacturing jobs that, starting at age 65, they will receive an [...]

New OSHA Guidelines for Reducing Motor Vehicle Crashes

Worried About Employees Driving On-the-Job? Check Out OSHA’s New Guidelines for Employers To Help Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes.

New EEO-1 Report for 2007

First major change to the employer survey form in four decades will be required for 2007.

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