CMS will work with states, providers to help them comply with vaccine rule: report
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 17, 2022
West Virginia and Virginia’s requests for a waiver from the healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccine mandate for rural providers and state-run facilities likely won’t be granted by the Centers for Medicare...
Biden urged to end public health emergency — what’s at stake
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 15, 2022
A group of Republican lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden to end the COVID-19 public health emergency designation now that there’s more access to vaccines and effective treatments to combat...
PRF reporting requirements would be extended under current proposal
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 14, 2022
Skilled nursing facilities that have received payments through the Provider Relief Fund would have until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic to report how they used the emergency aid under a new proposal.
CMS unleashes new tool for improving facility air quality
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 04, 2022
Funding is available for long-term care providers looking to make air quality upgrades to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
New COVID-19 test kits promised as LTC operators contend with shortages, slow PCR results
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 03, 2022
Five million Celltion brand rapid tests will be shipped over a five-week period to facilities as they contend with testing supply shortages and slow lab turnaround times.
CMS memo: ‘Dramatic staff losses’ not happening due to vax requirements
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 02, 2022
Declaring once again that “Vaccine requirements work,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on Tuesday urged healthcare facility administrators to increase...
Governors ask for limited waivers on vaccine mandate
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 02, 2022
A pair of Republican governors have asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for temporary relief from the healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccine mandate for rural providers and state-run facilities.
Operator accused of withholding employee raises worth $250,000
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 02, 2022
Connecticut lawmakers are pushing for a state investigation into a nursing home operator accused of not paying 4.5% salary increases after receiving state funding to do so.
First vaccine deadline arrives for healthcare workers in half the nation
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 28, 2022
Surveyors can now evaluate long-term care providers’ compliance with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate covering healthcare workers in half of the United States. Many long-term care providers are ready...
Feds giving providers $2 billion more for COVID expenses — $25 billion more requested
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 27, 2022
Another $2 billion in Provider Relief Funds is becoming available starting this week, federal health officials said.