Posted by LTCS on January 26, 2012
60 percent of a qualifying nursing education loan balance will be paid in exchange for a Registered Nurse’s or a Nurse Practitioner’s 2 year service commitment to a non-profit Critical Shortage Facility under the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program.
Eligible facilities include skilled nursing facilities, hospice programs, critical access hospitals, public hospitals, and rural health clinics. Loan repayment is also available to nurse educators who meet certain criteria.
Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program
Posted by LTCS on January 26, 2012
The 90+ population of the U.S. is rapidly growing, according to the National Institute on Aging and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Their numbers have increased from 720,000 to 1.9 million, and may reach 9 million by 2050.
The report also details the demographic, health, and economic status of 90+ elders. The majority are widowed white women who live alone or in long term care facilities, are high school graduates, and depend on Social Security for half of their income. Whites represent 88 percent of the total 90+ population.
Ninety Plus in the USA – U.S. Census Bureau report
Posted by LTCS on January 26, 2012
A reduction in the Medicare reimbursement rate for home health care and clarification on physician documentation were included in the final rule published by CMS this October.
The face-to-face patient encounter for initial certification must be performed by the certifying physician himself or herself, by a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist who is working in collaboration with the physician in accordance with State law, a certified nurse midwife as authorized by State law, or a physician assistant under the supervision of the physician.
The new regulations will become effective on January 1, 2012.
Home Health Face to Face Encounter Regulations
Posted by LTCS on January 26, 2012
Nursing hours from 2003 to 2008 were thirty percent lower at facilities in the top largest for-profit chains than in other facilities, a study by the University of California discovered, well below the minimum staffing recommendations.
Since low nurse staffing levels are considered to be the best predictor of poor quality care, it is not surprising that the facilities had 41 percent more serious deficiencies than the best facilities.
UCSF cited the top ten chains as: HCR Manor Care, Golden Living, Life Care Centers of America, Kindred Healthcare, Genesis HealthCare Corporation, Sun Health Care Group, Inc., SavaSeniorCare LLC, Extendicare Health Services, Inc., National Health Care Corporation, and Skilled HealthCare, LLC.
University of California Report
Subscribe to Weekly Email Updates and Newsletters
Article Archives
60 percent of a qualifying nursing education loan balance will be paid in exchange for a Registered Nurse’s or a Nurse Practitioner’s 2 year service commitment to a non-profit Critical Shortage Facility under the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program.
