Eschewing a ‘sweet spot’ for boutique-like service at any size: Creative Solutions’ Gary Blake
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 09, 2024
Gary Blake’s nameplate might say CEO, but in some ways, he envisions himself more as chief quality officer of Creative Solutions for Healthcare, the sprawling 159-facility skilled nursing company he...
LTC pharmacies forced to borrow to buy patient drugs, close as drug middlemen tighten grip on sector
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 08, 2024
Nursing home patient access to prescription drugs is being squeezed as several market and regulatory factors have combined to increase the power pharmacy benefit managers have over long-term care pharmacies,...
Providers grateful for certain opportunities in proposed 2025 Medicare pay rule
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 02, 2024
Even though debate will continue about how much Medicare reimbursement should rise next year, there’s little disagreement that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services got at least a few things right...
Optimizing RN responsibilities ‘more essential’ than staffing hours: study
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 02, 2024
While the long-term care sector braces for the announcement of a final nursing home staffing mandate from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, new analysis suggests that optimizing the role of...
Immigration reform increasingly urgent to addressing LTC workforce crisis: experts
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Josh Henreckson
Mar 28, 2024
As workforce challenges continue to hound long-term care providers, sector experts increasingly point to immigration reform as a vital step on the path toward long-awaited stability.
SNF leaders call for collaboration, reforms to fix ‘punitive’ regulatory environment
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 27, 2024
Facing a harsher regulatory environment from the state and federal governments in recent years, top long-term care leaders called for more collaboration and measures that work to improve care quality in...
Understanding facility, peer data called crucial to better Medicare Advantage negotiations
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 27, 2024
Nursing homes have historically had little leverage in negotiations with Medicare Advantage plans, even as MA has come to cover an ever-larger number of skilled nursing beneficiaries.
Complex medication regimens may be risky for dementia patients at home, study finds
By
John Roszkowski
Mar 26, 2024
Complex medication regimens may be risky and burdensome for community-dwelling older adults suffering from dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Providers should look for ways to reduce overprescribing...
Top SNF leaders see progress but warn of ‘no interest’ in joining workforce
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 26, 2024
The long-term care sector is recovering well from the worst challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, optimistic top leaders said. But some problems that began during the pandemic have only worsened with time,...
Thanks for the, er, help
By
John O'Connor
Mar 25, 2024
The adage about keeping friends close and enemies closer has been variously attributed. Its relevance for long-term care operators is pretty clear.