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...
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services appears to be weighing changes to its nursing home room capacity standards, based on recommendations included in updated guidance released Wednesday.
New CMS guidance dictates nursing homes must report COVID-19 cases to CDC, residents and families
By
Liza Berger
Apr 20, 2020
In new but anticipated guidance released Sunday night, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requiring nursing homes to report any COVID-19 cases directly to the Centers for Disease Control and...
MA plans ordered to cover COVID-19 lab tests
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 23, 2020
Coronavirus lab tests for nursing home residents must be covered by Medicare Administrative Contractors and Medicare Advantage plans, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday.
Face masks an ‘acceptable’ alternative to respirators during supply shortage: CMS
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 13, 2020
Save respirators for procedures likely to generate respiratory droplets and increase the risk of viral exposure, the agency says.
Not so fast: Providers must check to make sure their state permits POC COVID-19 testing devices, guidance...
By
Liza Berger
Jul 31, 2020
As nursing homes wait for point-of care testing instruments and supplies to arrive from the federal government, they first should make sure they are complying with state public health guidelines regarding...
CMS stresses it wants more stakeholder views on nursing homes staffing shortages
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 27, 2022
The leader of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday challenged providers to give more insight on the workforce crises they are dealing with as the agency prepares to set minimum staffing...
CMS still determining what COVID waivers to keep, drop after PHE ends
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 20, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is in the process of deciding what COVID-19 regulatory waivers will remain permanent or be retired following the end of the public health emergency.
Providers: CMS should first fortify skilled nursing workforce before imposing minimum staffing measures
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 07, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must first help the long-term care industry build up its workforce before implementing a national minimum staffing standard for nursing homes, many providers...
CMS official confirms agency considering direct care spending minimums for nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 13, 2022
Federal health officials hinted that nursing home providers may soon be forced to spend a minimum of their Medicaid funding on direct care.