Quality of U.S. hospices varies, patients left in dark - The Washington Post
{Q}A boom in the industry allows patients to choose from an array of
hospice outfits, some of them excellent. More than a thousand new
hospices have opened in the United States in the past decade. But the
absence of public information about their quality, a void that is
unusual even within the health-care industry, leaves consumers at a loss
to distinguish the good from the bad.
Though the federal government publishes consumer data about the quality of other
health-care companies, including hospitals, nursing homes and home
health agencies, it provides no such information about hospices.
The reasons that some hospices stint on care may be at least partly
financial. Medicare, the chief source of industry revenue, pays hospice
companies per day of care — about $155 for a “routine” day — regardless
of how much care is actually provided. That means that the less a
hospice spends on nursing and other services, the more it can profit.
{EQ}
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/business/hospice-quality This database shows, among other things, whether the hospice has provided
more intense levels of care for patients suffering a crisis; how much
it spends on nursing visits per patient; and whether it has won approval
from one of three outside accrediting agencies, the Joint Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Health Care and Community Health Accreditation Program, or CHAP
A Guide to Durable Medical Equipment And Medical Supplies - AgingCare.com
A Guide to Durable Medical Equipment And Medical Supplies - AgingCare.com
{Q}First, the basic needs of elderly or ill people must be addressed before they or their family members can think about more abstract or long-term issues.
Second, it is very difficult to obtain information about meeting these basic needs, especially when it comes to finding the right products or supplies. The policies and practices of third-party payers - whether private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid - are often confusing and inconsistent.
Nevertheless, with a little persistence and some basic information, you can become a more knowledgeable and satisfied consumer. The reward will be an improved quality of life for both the elderly person and the caregiver. {EQ}
Read the article from end to end.Good information for caregivers, seniors, and families.
{Q}First, the basic needs of elderly or ill people must be addressed before they or their family members can think about more abstract or long-term issues.
Second, it is very difficult to obtain information about meeting these basic needs, especially when it comes to finding the right products or supplies. The policies and practices of third-party payers - whether private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid - are often confusing and inconsistent.
Nevertheless, with a little persistence and some basic information, you can become a more knowledgeable and satisfied consumer. The reward will be an improved quality of life for both the elderly person and the caregiver. {EQ}
Read the article from end to end.Good information for caregivers, seniors, and families.
Questions to Ask About Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies - AgingCare.com
Questions to Ask About Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies - AgingCare.com
An article full of very helpful advice and information. A long article and you need to read from end to end to get full benefit
Developed by, and made available with the permission of John J.
Connolly, Ed.D., President and CEO of Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.,
America's "trusted" source for information on top doctors and quality
healthcare.
An article full of very helpful advice and information. A long article and you need to read from end to end to get full benefit
Questions to Ask About Medical Equipment and Supplies
Sample for disucssion:
- Are the senior's needs and comfort periodically assessed?
- Handling a dispute with the insurer or vendor:
- Has the caregiver made frequent and careful inquiries?
- Has all communication (in person, phone, mail, email) been well documented?
- If the insurer disputes the need for particular equipment or
supplies or rejects a claim for a more costly but medically justified
item, will an appeal be necessary? - Does the caregiver know how to file an appeal?
Developed by, and made available with the permission of John J.
Connolly, Ed.D., President and CEO of Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.,
America's "trusted" source for information on top doctors and quality
healthcare.
6 Questions To Ask Before Hiring An In-Home Caregiver
What is the cost, and how will the bills be paid? “Be
certain to understand the whole payment package,” McVicker advises. For
example, does the agency tack on extra charges for billing, taxes and
worker’s compensation or include them in a single fee for services? Some
agencies will send you a bill that includes the hourly rate for
services plus additional itemized charges for taxes and administrative
costs. Other agencies will simply charge you an hourly amount that
encompasses all costs.
Code of Federal Regulations Resident rights (§483.10) Admission, transfer, and discharge rights (§483.12) Resident behavior and facility practices (§483.13) Quality of life (§483.15) Quality of care (§483.25)
Quoted from:http://tinyurl.com/pmmrher December 14, 2013
Long Term Care Facilities: Are You Being Treated Right?
By CzepigaDalyPope LLC
The Code of Federal Regulations (herein either “the Code” or “CFR”) is a codification of rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. Title 42 of the Code, Part 483, addresses public health requirements for long term care facilities.
Part 483 specifically addresses, among many other issues, the following:
Resident rights (§483.10) Admission, transfer, and discharge rights (§483.12) Resident behavior and facility practices (§483.13) Quality of life (§483.15) Quality of care (§483.25)
Most of the fundamental questions you have will be addressed, at least in part, in the sections cited above. Section 483.10, as one example, addresses resident rights and specifically provides for what a facility must do regarding issues that range from providing, for inspection, a resident with his or her medical records within twenty four hours of request, to prominently displaying information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Section 483.12, as one other example, lists the six permissible reasons to discharge a resident from a long term care facility. It is important to note, there are no other reasons for discharge beyond these six, any other purported reason for discharge that is not listed in §483.12 (a)(2) is a violation of Federal law.
6 Reasons for Discharge
The transfer or discharge is necessary for the resident’s welfare and the resident’s needs cannot be met in the facility
the transfer or discharge is appropriate because the resident’s health has improved sufficiently so the resident no longer needs the services provided by the facility
The safety of individuals in the facility is endangered
The health of individuals in the facility would otherwise be endangered
The resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay for (or to have paid under Medicare or Medicaid) a stay at the facility.
The facility ceases to operate
For those who live in long term care facilities, it is your home and you are entitled to certain rights within it. For those of you who visit a loved one in a long term care facility, if you begin to question whether your loved one is being treated appropriately, simply go online, type into Google “42 CFR 483,” and start getting your questions answered.
A trial attorney who handles these types of matters, can give you lots of help,
however,
you would be surprised how effective Federal law is when properly cited during discussions with facility administrators and staff.
Posted in: Elder Law and Nursing Home Litigation
The Code of Federal Regulations (herein either “the Code” or “CFR”) is a codification of rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. Title 42 of the Code, Part 483, addresses public health requirements for long term care facilities.
Part 483 specifically addresses, among many other issues, the following:
Resident rights (§483.10) Admission, transfer, and discharge rights (§483.12) Resident behavior and facility practices (§483.13) Quality of life (§483.15) Quality of care (§483.25)
Most of the fundamental questions you have will be addressed, at least in part, in the sections cited above. Section 483.10, as one example, addresses resident rights and specifically provides for what a facility must do regarding issues that range from providing, for inspection, a resident with his or her medical records within twenty four hours of request, to prominently displaying information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Section 483.12, as one other example, lists the six permissible reasons to discharge a resident from a long term care facility. It is important to note, there are no other reasons for discharge beyond these six, any other purported reason for discharge that is not listed in §483.12 (a)(2) is a violation of Federal law.
6 Reasons for Discharge
The transfer or discharge is necessary for the resident’s welfare and the resident’s needs cannot be met in the facility
the transfer or discharge is appropriate because the resident’s health has improved sufficiently so the resident no longer needs the services provided by the facility
The safety of individuals in the facility is endangered
The health of individuals in the facility would otherwise be endangered
The resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay for (or to have paid under Medicare or Medicaid) a stay at the facility.
The facility ceases to operate
For those who live in long term care facilities, it is your home and you are entitled to certain rights within it. For those of you who visit a loved one in a long term care facility, if you begin to question whether your loved one is being treated appropriately, simply go online, type into Google “42 CFR 483,” and start getting your questions answered.
A trial attorney who handles these types of matters, can give you lots of help,
however,
you would be surprised how effective Federal law is when properly cited during discussions with facility administrators and staff.
Posted in: Elder Law and Nursing Home Litigation
Create A Better Day Café Marlborough , MA USA
Create A Better Day Café Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s
or other dementia? Create
A Better Day Café encourages socialization with other caregivers and loved ones where you can just be yourself. This is a wonderful opportunity to get out with your loved one and have an enjoyable afternoon.
It’s a time to step out of the daily routine, leave the disease at the door, and enjoy a positive experience in a supportive environment. The afternoon will consist of conversation, music, arts, games, refreshments, and most importantly, laughter.
There is no cost.
It is open to anyone at any stage of the disease process accompanied by friends, family, and loved ones. The café is held the 4th Sunday of each month Please attend our next Café on Sunday, October 26th 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Pleasantries Adult Day and Consulting Services 195 Reservoir Street, Marlborough
Please contact Tammy for more information at 508-481-0809 Due to the possibility of cancellation please call prior to attending and listen to voice message
A Better Day Café encourages socialization with other caregivers and loved ones where you can just be yourself. This is a wonderful opportunity to get out with your loved one and have an enjoyable afternoon.
It’s a time to step out of the daily routine, leave the disease at the door, and enjoy a positive experience in a supportive environment. The afternoon will consist of conversation, music, arts, games, refreshments, and most importantly, laughter.
There is no cost.
It is open to anyone at any stage of the disease process accompanied by friends, family, and loved ones. The café is held the 4th Sunday of each month Please attend our next Café on Sunday, October 26th 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Pleasantries Adult Day and Consulting Services 195 Reservoir Street, Marlborough
Please contact Tammy for more information at 508-481-0809 Due to the possibility of cancellation please call prior to attending and listen to voice message
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