What happens when providers and regulators disagree about how best to interpret a vague regulation?
Chevron case gives providers a chance to pick their poison
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 19, 2024
This week’s Supreme Court hearing on the Chevron case brought a tough choice into focus. In a nutshell, the High Court is going to let us know whether administrative agencies like CMS will continue to...
‘Nursing homes can’t be trusted’
By
John O'Connor
Jan 16, 2024
Sun Tzu is credited with being the first person to say “Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.” That was good advice when he lived about 2,500 years ago. It remains good advice today.
Rural nursing homes need more than hand-wringing
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 11, 2024
The plight of rural nursing homes has been forewarned for a while, with little improvement. But now the pandemic, followed by the threat of a federal staffing mandate, is expediting what seems to be a...
Gripped by uncertainty, skilled nursing providers just keep breathing
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 10, 2024
Uncertainty may very well be the defining outlook for skilled nursing providers in 2024. At the very least, it was the theme that dominated our annual survey attempting to capture your attitudes heading...
Here’s what I predict
By
John O'Connor
Jan 08, 2024
What’s the problem with forecasting the days ahead for long-term care? I think Warren Buffet aptly summed up all you really need to know. “Forecasts may tell you a great deal about the forecaster;...
Vaccinations and health officials’ inconvenient truths
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 05, 2024
Twice in two weeks, the nation’s top health official has called providers on the carpet over concerns about COVID-19 vaccination rates in nursing homes. It wasn’t billed as a scolding session, but...
Scrooged again: MA plans can’t escape criticism of clandestine coverage rules
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 02, 2024
If you were looking for someone deserving to be cast as Ebeneezer Scrooge this holiday season, Medicare Advantage insurers may have just locked up the audition (for this year and maybe future years too).
2024 eagerly awaits you, long-term care faithful
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 21, 2023
As a new year looms, we’re reminded of a pattern that becomes pretty familiar in long-term care if you’ve already seen enough calendar pages disappear.
A bum rap?
By
John O'Connor
Dec 18, 2023
I’ve written on topics ranging far and wide across the long-term care spectrum. But I’m pretty sure this will be my first foray into the world of fake butt accusations.