http://homehealthcarenews.com/2012/11/new-technology-allows-seniors-to-age-at-home-and-stay-connected/
We're beginning to see more and more new technology for seniors. This is the latest one I have read where our senior would be able to stay home and connected using a web based monitor to check their blood pressure, oxygen saturation, blood sugar levels, and weight and relay that data to their healthcare professionals. It monitors their medication schedules and movements at home as well. It's a great way of maintaining their independence- which is a hard thing to give up. LivHOME Caremonitor offers more interesting features such availability of care professional 24 hour/7days, music, photos, even SKYPE. Awesome, right?!
Friday, November 30, 2012
November Is National Home Care Month
Congratulations to All our Home Care Nurses and workers. All of you are making a big difference in our patient's lives. It is not an easy job to keep them away from hospital admissions, so keep up the great work!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Co-producing Healthcare with The Veterans
http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2012/11/11/on-veterans-day-the-healthcare-debt-we-owe-our-troops-and-veterans/
The concept of co-production fascinates me. Studies have shown that empowering patients through co-production yield better outcomes. This article explains how Veterans can manage their own healthcare and be a co-producer of their own health. The VA created a website for them MyHealTheVet.com, where the veteran can manage their own care,schedule their own appointment online, view their lab values and medical records, consult a doctor, fill their prescriptions, etc. I think this is a great way of empowering patients.
The concept of co-production fascinates me. Studies have shown that empowering patients through co-production yield better outcomes. This article explains how Veterans can manage their own healthcare and be a co-producer of their own health. The VA created a website for them MyHealTheVet.com, where the veteran can manage their own care,schedule their own appointment online, view their lab values and medical records, consult a doctor, fill their prescriptions, etc. I think this is a great way of empowering patients.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Proposed Settlement Agreement That Will Affect Medicare Beneficiaries
http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/hidden/highlight-improvment-standard/
Often times, we see patients that are needing further skilled services but because they have reached the plateau, Medicare stops paying. Pretty soon this line " for as long as you show improvement, Medicare will continue to pay for your services" will be changed to "Medicare will pay for you're maintenance therapy". This Proposed Settlement Agreement will hopefully stop CMS from denying patients with chronic conditions the appropriate care they need to continue living a quality life. This will hopefully decrease hospital re-admissions and eventually save us health care dollars.
Often times, we see patients that are needing further skilled services but because they have reached the plateau, Medicare stops paying. Pretty soon this line " for as long as you show improvement, Medicare will continue to pay for your services" will be changed to "Medicare will pay for you're maintenance therapy". This Proposed Settlement Agreement will hopefully stop CMS from denying patients with chronic conditions the appropriate care they need to continue living a quality life. This will hopefully decrease hospital re-admissions and eventually save us health care dollars.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Happy Case Management Week!
Don't forget to join us tomorrow as we toast to our accomplishments! Send us your pictures !
(On Friday, October 19, 2012 at 1 PM ET, 12 Noon CT, 11 AM MT and 10 AM PT, CMSA President Nancy Skinner would like you to join her in toasting the individual and collective accomplishments of the case manager. Choose your beverage, set the alarm on your smart phone and put it on your calendar! ) from www.cmsa.org
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Monday, October 8, 2012
Medicare's 3-Day Stay Rule Doesn't Make Sense
http://seniorhousingnews.com/2012/08/08/medicares-3-day-stay-rule-for-skilled-nursing-coverage-ripe-for-elimination/
I am dissappointed to learn that this bill (H.R. 1543 Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2011) which will eliminate the 3day Inpatient stay rule before SNF admissions only has 1% chance to pass. We need to keep trying because it does not make sense for some patients who does not fall into the 3 day category to waste healthcare dollars.
I am dissappointed to learn that this bill (H.R. 1543 Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2011) which will eliminate the 3day Inpatient stay rule before SNF admissions only has 1% chance to pass. We need to keep trying because it does not make sense for some patients who does not fall into the 3 day category to waste healthcare dollars.
New Jersey Death With Dignity Act
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/09/controversial_bill_would_allow.html#incart_river_default
This is a very controversial bill that if passed, New Jersey could be the third state (next to Oregon and Washington) that will allow patients to self administer life-ending drugs. This will elicit a lot of discussions, I'm sure. Let us know what you think!
This is a very controversial bill that if passed, New Jersey could be the third state (next to Oregon and Washington) that will allow patients to self administer life-ending drugs. This will elicit a lot of discussions, I'm sure. Let us know what you think!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Medicare to Fine Hospitals For Readmissions
http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/news/medicare-fines-over-hospitals-readmitted-patients-084816882.html?orig_host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=US&.lang=en-US
It's coming! Medicare will start to penalize hospitals for readmissions. Penalty will be as low as 1% and is expected to go up to 3%. This is part of the Health Care Reform ...transforming Health Care from fragmented care to continuing care. This will make healthcare providers to be more vigilant in ensuring that patients follow up with their doctors after discharge. What do we do with non-compliant ones? It will be a challenge to drag them to their appointments. I can almost foresee hospitals forming initiatives in attempt to reduce readmissions. This could be a good thing!
It's coming! Medicare will start to penalize hospitals for readmissions. Penalty will be as low as 1% and is expected to go up to 3%. This is part of the Health Care Reform ...transforming Health Care from fragmented care to continuing care. This will make healthcare providers to be more vigilant in ensuring that patients follow up with their doctors after discharge. What do we do with non-compliant ones? It will be a challenge to drag them to their appointments. I can almost foresee hospitals forming initiatives in attempt to reduce readmissions. This could be a good thing!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Sanofi Reinstated Lovenox Assistance Program
https://patientassistanceprogram.sanofi-aventis.us/index.html
I found out today that Sanofi brought back their Lovenox Assistance Program! Good news right? Not so fast...with the program reinstated, they made some major changes. They no longer give you a confirmation letter prior to discharge.They will only deliver to hospital outpatient pharmacy. They actually ask you now for dispense log prior to approval. That means, you would have to risk not getting approved while you wait for reimbursement. Do you know of anyone who took advantage of this program? We want to hear how you did it!
I found out today that Sanofi brought back their Lovenox Assistance Program! Good news right? Not so fast...with the program reinstated, they made some major changes. They no longer give you a confirmation letter prior to discharge.They will only deliver to hospital outpatient pharmacy. They actually ask you now for dispense log prior to approval. That means, you would have to risk not getting approved while you wait for reimbursement. Do you know of anyone who took advantage of this program? We want to hear how you did it!
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