Family Education Series
Family Field Guide
Plain-language guides to reading federal healthcare data — verify any provider before signing.
What the OIG Exclusion List Means for Your Family’s Care Decisions
You’ve finally found a home health aide who seems perfect. She’s warm, experienced, and your mother already likes her. You’re […]
Why Google Reviews for Nursing Homes Can’t Tell You What Really Matters
You spent three evenings reading Google reviews for a nursing home your mother might move into next month. The facility […]
What Civil Monetary Penalties Mean When Choosing a Nursing Home
You’re sitting at a kitchen table with a stack of brochures, trying to figure out which nursing home or home […]
Medicare vs Medicaid Certification: What the Difference Means for Your Family
You’re sitting at a kitchen table with a stack of brochures, a cold cup of coffee, and a parent who […]
How to Tell If a Home Health Agency Is Federally Credentialed
Picture this: your mom just came home from the hospital after a hip replacement, and a neighbor recommends a home […]
What Is an NPI Number and Why Does It Matter for Home Health Care?
You’ve just finished a phone call with a home health agency that sounded wonderful. The coordinator was warm, the services […]
How to Read a Nursing Home Inspection Report Without Getting Lost in the Jargon
You’re sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of printouts, trying to figure out whether the nursing home down […]
What CMS 5-Star Nursing Home Ratings Really Mean for Your Family
You’re sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of printouts, trying to figure out which nursing home is […]