New Medicaid 2017 Figures for Long-Term Care

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have given us the new annual spousal impoverishment figures for 2017. In turn, we like to give our friends a FREE 2017 Medicaid Planning Desk Reference. The full numbers are contained in the Desk Reference, which you can download for free by clicking the link at the […]

CMS final rule takes effect today

The final rule affecting Skilled Nursing Facilities that accept Medicaid takes effect November 28, 2016, with one exception.  The provision banning arbitration provisions from nursing home admissions contracts is on hold and CMS is temporarily enjoined from enacting the ban by a federal district court.  For a full copy of the final rule, click here. V

Nursing home arbitration rule change likely counterproductive

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – the government entity that runs Medicare and Medicaid – has proposed a rule change that takes effect this month. For the first time, it bans pre-dispute arbitration clauses from nursing home admissions contracts. As you can imagine, elder advocates are applauding the return of the right […]

Nursing home resident’s right to sue now in doubt

In what had been heralded as a major shift in federal public policy, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new rule, to take effect on November 28, that would prohibit pre-dispute arbitration clauses in nursing home admissions contracts. Because these provisions are so prevalent, they have functionally taken away a nursing […]

Kansas suit focuses on arcane Medicaid eligibility verification process

A recent suit was brought in Kansas over long delays in the Medicaid eligibility determination process. The suit was brought by a chain of nursing homes that has suffered as a result of the delays in processing long-term care Medicaid cases. At issue is the complex and lengthy asset and income verification process. Part of […]

Kaiser foundation releases annual 50-state Medicaid budget survey

The Kaiser Family Foundation released its 16th annual Medicaid state budget survey. Trends show more states are planning to either close or downsize state institutions and shift patients to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) as a way to curb state Medicaid spending. For more details on the foundation’s findings and to access the full […]