Tag Archives: Medicaid

Medicare to Tie Nursing Home Payments to Hospital Readmission Rates

Will trying to curb the "boomerang effect" place more patients at risk?

Beginning this October, Medicare will begin penalizing nursing homes with higher than average hospital readmission rates, according to a June 19 report in MedPage Today. In an ongoing effort to curb preventable hospital readmissions, the agency will reward nursing homes … Continue reading

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Are You a Family Caregiver? Some States Will Pay You for Your Time

If you give up working outside of the home to care for a relative, you may qualify for a program that will pay you

According to Caring.com more than 70 million people provide unpaid care for a family member in their home or the patient’s home. This commitment takes enormous time and energy and often adds a financial burden when the family caregiver has cut back on or give up a paying job. … Continue reading

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New Interventions and Preventive Care Could Lower Costs and Reduce Hospitalization for Medicare Patients

Experts release a list of ideas for the future care of Medicare beneficiaries

The Bipartisan Policy Center recently found that an estimated 3.65 million Medicare beneficiaries might need more preventive care than they’re currently receiving. These Medicare patients fit into one or more of the following categories: Patients who aren’t dually eligible for Medicaid … Continue reading

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Study Finds Medical Marijuana Could Save Medicare Millions

Research shows a correlation between a drop in prescription drug sales and cannabis use

According to two separate studies, medical marijuana could save Medicare an estimated $450 million annually. It could also save as much as $1.1 billion in Medicaid spending on prescription drugs every year. University of Georgia researchers Ashley Bradford and W. … Continue reading

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New Quality Measures for Nursing Homes Give Patients Better Information

The five new qualities will change overall nursing home ratings

For years now, the Five Star Quality Ratings system has helped patients and their families compare nursing homes to find the best fit. This year, that rating system has expanded to include five more quality measures, giving patients an even … Continue reading

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People with Developmental Disabilities Have Few Options When Caretakers Die

Many states lack the resources to help family caretakers

In the United States, most people who have serious developmental disabilities receive care from their loved ones at home. But when a caretaker dies, they often have no one to care for them. They typically go to an institution, where … Continue reading

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