UBCNews

Whether or not they create formal resolutions, many individuals live more purposefully in the weeks following the New Year. These mindful choices can affect their decisions, their spending, and more. After a season of indulgence, alcohol consumption is one area many Stoneham residents reconsider in January. Some may choose to abstain altogether; others may cut back or aspire to higher-quality experiences. Either way, barkeeps need to enter the new year with these trends in mind, according to the mixologists at Post 1917 . The Reading-based steakhouse and bar is recognized for its quality drinks, as a recipient of Wine Spectator's 2025 Award of Excellence for restaurants. Part Of The Plan Customers are entering the New Year with intention, planning alcohol consumption like they do their sugar intake and sleep goals, according to recent reporting by Forbes. Alcohol sales may be down - roughly 3% - but they're not out. Patrons are still going to the bar, but going with a plan - a ...

Two Programs, One Powerful Approach If you're running a healthcare practice or senior living community, you've probably noticed that chronic disease management takes up a huge chunk of your team's time and resources. Patients with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease need ongoing attention between office visits, yet traditional care models weren't really built for that kind of continuous oversight. That's where chronic care management and remote patient monitoring come in. When you combine CCM and RPM programs , you're not just adding two services together—you're creating a comprehensive care model that addresses different aspects of chronic disease management while generating dual Medicare reimbursements. What Makes Them Work So Well Together CCM focuses on care coordination, medication management, and regular check-ins with patients who have two or more chronic conditions. Your care team spends time reviewing treatment plans, coordinat...

A growing body of workplace research shows that cleanliness is not just about appearance. It has measurable effects on how people think, feel, and perform throughout the workday. Surveys from the International Sanitary Supply Association and new findings in cognitive psychology both point to the same conclusion that clean workplaces support sharper focus, better emotional well-being, and a stronger sense of professionalism. For many businesses, cleanliness is an essential but often overlooked contributor to workplace performance. A Clearer Space Supports a Clearer Mind One of the strongest links between cleanliness and productivity comes down to cognitive load. Cluttered desks, dusty surfaces, and disorganized shared areas create competing stimuli that force the brain to work harder. Neuroscience studies from Princeton University have shown that visual clutter reduces the brain’s ability to process information, making tasks take longer, and increasing mental fatigue. In contrast, orde...

Key Summary Contract review matters more than you think - Hidden fees and unfavorable terms often hide in pharmacy agreements, which makes a thorough contract analysis your first priority before considering any change. Service gaps affect resident care directly - Delayed deliveries, poor communication, and medication errors signal deeper problems that justify exploring new pharmacy partnerships. The RFP process levels the playing field - A structured Request for Proposal helps you compare vendors objectively while giving you leverage to negotiate better pricing and service terms. Transition planning prevents care disruptions - Switching pharmacies without a detailed timeline and communication plan can create dangerous gaps in medication management that put residents at risk. Expert guidance simplifies the entire process - Working with consultants who specialize in LTC pharmacy selection can save time and help you avoid costly mistakes. The Decision That Keeps Directors of Nursing...

Healthcare spending in the United States hit $4.9 trillion in 2023, yet Americans have shorter lifespans than people in other wealthy countries. This gap between spending and results has pushed hospitals and clinics toward a completely different way of delivering care. Value-based care rewards doctors for keeping patients healthy instead of just treating them when they get sick. The technology behind this shift helps track health outcomes, coordinate care between providers, and measure what actually works. Understanding these tools matters for anyone trying to make this transition work in their practice or health system. Moving Beyond the Old Payment System Traditional healthcare payment worked like a transaction counter where doctors earned more by providing more services regardless of patient outcomes. More tests meant more revenue, more procedures generated more income, and more office visits added up to bigger checks. The new approach connects payment directly to whether patients ...

Key Takeaways CCM allows pharmacies to participate in Medicare-reimbursed medication reviews and care coordination when delivered under a physician or qualified provider’s supervision. Programs require patients to have 2+ chronic conditions and give informed consent before enrollment begins. Medicare pays $40-$70 per patient monthly for at least 20 minutes of documented non-face-to-face care coordination. A pharmacy with 50 enrolled patients can generate $2,000-$3,500 in additional monthly revenue that scales with growth. Core services include medication reviews, adherence monitoring, 24-hour access, and coordination with other providers. Pharmacies operate on razor-thin margins while reimbursement rates continue sliding downward year after year. Chronic Care Management flips this script by turning the medication reviews and patient check-ins pharmacists already do into billable Medicare services when provided as part of a physician-led CCM program. Learning how to structure these exis...