Nursing Homes Should Post Their Medicare Ratings

Posted on December 27, 2010 by John R Kormanik

As I look back at the year that was 2010, and review my various postings, one in particular, sticks out today. Almost 1 year ago, on January 11, 2010, I wrote asking Idaho nursing homes to post their Medicare 5-star ratings. This one seemed particularly good given a story in today's Los Angeles Times.

The story, by Molly Hennessy-Fiske, talks about a one-of-a-kind law in California requiring all nursing home facilities to post their Medicare ratings. "The new law is intended to ensure that patients and their families are aware of the evaluations. Nursing home officials also must post information explaining the ratings" and how to obtain state licensing records. Facilities that fail to follow the law "face a range of potential fines." The article goes on to discuss some of the draw backs of the 5-star ratings system, from both a resident-advocate perspective as well as a facility perspective.

As I have discussed before, you have access to the Nursing Home Compare feature of Medicare's website. Shouldn't the facility you are looking at make its rating easier for you to find. How much effort would it take for an Idaho nursing home to proudly post its Medicare rating and information concerning how to obtain it state inspection records? Does Idaho really need a law to require this, or is it just good business?

Once again, I invite all Idaho nursing homes to post their Medicare ratings. If a facility does so, be sure to let me know so I can mention you in this forum. If you are visiting a nursing home, be sure to ask what their rating is and why it is not posted. As I recently heard in a commercial for Medicare: "Knowledge is power."

Tags:

When Assisted Living Staff Recommend Increased Services - What Can You Do?

Posted on December 7, 2010 by John R Kormanik

In an interesting article in today's New York Times, Patrick Egan discusses his experience during a time when his father's assisted living facility decided the father needed an "upgrade" in service. Not surprisingly, the upgrade in service came with a somewhat hefty price tag - $12,000 per year. Mr. Egan sets out some good recommendations for dealing with such a situation:

(1) Be realistic - it is likely your loved one's condition will deteriorate. In fact, Mr. Egan quotes a shocking statistic: assisted living residents average just 28 months in that setting and, almost always, the resident's health deteriorates.

(2) Be proactive - the fact your loved one's health is declining should never come as a surprise. Because the admissions process is very emotional, it is a good idea to have a 3rd party present to ask questions and listen to what the facility's representative says.

(3) Be cautious - according to Ms. Oliensis-Torres, who runs a geriatric care management firm, Geriatric Support/Pathway Care, in Milwaukee, having an attorney review all admission documents and contracts prior to signing them is helpful.

(4) Be aware - you have limitations when it comes to "fighting" against an increase in level of care. If you disagree with the assessment, or just want to be certain it is in your loved one's best interests, you can engage the services of a "geriatric-care manager," who can review the records and make sure the increased level of care is appropriate. If you cannot afford to hire a geriatric-care manager, you can always contact your local ombudsman to discuss the matter with them.

(5) Be involved - you should attend the "care planning meetings" for your loved one. These meetings occur regularly. Go to the meetings; ask questions; be involved in your loved one's care.

(6) Be persistent - Mr. Egan was successful in convincing the facility his father did not require an increased level of care. He organized his thoughts and had a meeting with the administrator of the assisted living facility.

At the end of the day, the facility has a vested interest in offering the highest level of services it can justify. Because it will be paid based on the level of service, it is up to you to make sure the services are needed.

Tags: , ,