CMS considering different reimbursement strategies for COVID-19 tests
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 17, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could change the way it pays for COVID-19 tests, a top federal health official suggested this week. The move would come just months after the agency doubled...
Nursing home residents unveil their superhero identities
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 17, 2020
Louisville, KY-based Signature HealthCARE launched its “Super Summer” engagement program for residents over the summer. The program was aimed at helping residents “explore their own superhero identity”...
Also in the News for Thursday, Sept. 17
Sep 17, 2020
HHS announces COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy … Florida announces plans to eliminate state-supported coronavirus testing for LTC workers … New York relaxes visitor restrictions for nursing homes...
BD investigating reports of false positives from COVID-19 tests
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 16, 2020
New Jersey-based medical technology company Becton Dickinson, or BD, is conducting an investigation following reports that its COVID-19 point-of-care testing equipment is producing false positive results...
CMS draft measure takes aim at HAIs acquired at skilled nursing facilities
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 16, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking public input on a draft quality measure that would estimate the rate of healthcare-associated infections acquired during care at a skilled nursing...
Medicare drug pricing order could have ‘significant ramifications’ on LTC pharmacies in long run:...
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 16, 2020
Long-term care pharmacies could soon be facing “significant ramifications in the long run” following an executive order signed by President Trump on Sunday. That directive states that the Medicare...
Also in the News for Wednesday, Sept. 16
Sep 16, 2020
DOL revises which healthcare employees qualify for leave under Families First Coronavirus Response Act … Pennsylvania providers seek more pandemic aid from $1B in funding that has yet to be allocated...
A win for long-term care: Providers applaud withdrawal of MFAR proposal
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 15, 2020
Providers cheered federal health officials’ decision to withdraw a proposal they warned could cut up to $50 billion nationwide from the Medicaid program annually.
Provider faces $315K fine for failing to isolate residents, warn staff of COVID-19 outbreak
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 15, 2020
A Maryland provider may be forced to pay a $315,000 fine for Immediate Jeopardy violations after state health officials found that it did not properly isolate residents exposed to COVID-19.
Saliva-based antigen testing better than PCR nasal swab, researchers argue
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 15, 2020
Nursing home operators may have better luck using saliva-based, rapid antigen testing for screening COVID-19 within their facilities over polymerase chaise reaction (PRC) nasal swab because of the tool’s...