CMS warns states: Survey fully or suffer consequences
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 10, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Wednesday sternly warned state survey agencies they must enforce all aspects of the federal program’s health and safety requirements by long-standing agreement.
No more mandate extensions. Let’s roll.
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 02, 2022
What is the end game in asking for another mandate extensions? Delay, deny and deflect methods won’t protect vulnerable populations, nor maintain workforce.
CDC changes COVID rules for some workers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 01, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in late December cut from 10 to seven the number of quarantine days for some fully vaccinated and boosted healthcare workers.
COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadlines push providers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 17, 2022
With every state but Texas now covered by rules mandating when workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19, providers are facing increased urgency around ongoing vaccination campaigns.
Demand for I-SNP coverage drives Longevity’s growth
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 17, 2022
Explosive growth for Longevity Health Plan’s I-SNPs underscores skilled nursing providers’ increasing willingness to partner for patient care, especially if partners add clinical capabilities and...
BREAKING: CMS sets new vaccination targets for another 24 states
By
James M. Berklan
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 14, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday that providers in 24 states added to the federal vaccine mandate roster Thursday have until March 15 to become fully vaccinated.
Supreme Court leaves providers to grapple with vaccine mandate, takes other employers off the hook
By
Kimberly Marselas
James M. Berklan
Jan 13, 2022
Nursing home operators were already bracing late Thursday for the fallout of a nationwide staff vaccine mandate, just hours after the Supreme Court ruled a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule...
BREAKING: CMS vaccine mandate upheld
By
Kimberly Marselas
James M. Berklan
Jan 13, 2022
A vaccine requirement for staff at all U.S. nursing homes and other federally funded healthcare facilities can proceed, the Supreme Court said in a 5-4 decision Thursday afternoon.
Also in the News for Friday, Jan. 7
Jan 07, 2022
White House, CDC: No plans to change meaning of ‘fully vaccinated’ … Nurses unions sue Biden over withdrawn COVID-19 protections … National Guard headed to nursing home with tragic COVID...
Providers cautiously accept new COVID vaccine mandate guidance as SCOTUS hearing nears
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 02, 2022
Many skilled nursing providers continue to pursue full staff vaccination coverage as a federal mandate heads toward the Supreme Court this Friday, their efforts now driven by official enforcement guidance.