Dementia mortality skyrockets since lockdowns; CMS loosens visitor restrictions
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 18, 2020
An excessive number of deaths due to dementia have occurred since shelter-in-place orders went into effect this spring, a new analysis finds. Meanwhile, CMS has proposed a framework for nursing homes...
Clinical briefs for Friday, Sept. 18
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 18, 2020
Nursing home commission makes 27 recommendations, calls for ‘greater leadership role’ from CMS … Heparin nasal spray to be tested as COVID prevention … One in 10 older dental patients prescribed...
CMS issues additional FAQs on Provider Relief Fund for Medicare providers
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 31, 2020
Providers should not offset their expenses on the Medicare Cost Report based on the relief fund payments they’ve received. That’s according to a newly released document from the Centers for Medicare...
County COVID-19 rates will dictate staff testing frequency, new CMS guidance says
By
Liza Berger
Aug 27, 2020
Routine testing of staff now will be based on the level of COVID-19 activity in the community. That’s according to official new guidance released Wednesday in response to federal regulatory changes disclosed...
Proposed 9% cut to therapy ‘potentially devastating’
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 05, 2020
A proposal to cut 9% from Medicare payments for physical and occupational therapy under the federal government’s Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule for 2021 could potentially have a “devastating...
Nursing home coronavirus commission members chosen
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 18, 2020
Members of the administration’s new Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes are expected to be revealed Friday.
CMS releases provider COVID-19 case, death totals to consumers on Nursing Home Compare
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 05, 2020
The number of coronavirus deaths and cases among facility’s residents and workers is now publicly available on the Nursing Home Compare website, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced...
$3T stimulus proposal calls for MFAR delay, 14% FMAP increase, $500M SNF ‘strike team’ fund
By
Danielle Brown
May 14, 2020
A Medicaid proposal that providers say could cut up to $50 billion nationwide from the program annually would be barred from being finalized during the coronavirus pandemic under a $3 trillion stimulus...
CMS ‘interested’ in patient satisfaction scores for nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 22, 2020
Federal regulators say that nursing homes could eventually come to see patient satisfaction scores included in Five Star Quality Ratings and on the Nursing Home Compare website.
Coalition of support building in favor of the RUSH Act
By
Timothy C. Peck
Jan 11, 2019
Every single day, thousands of elderly nursing home patients are subjected to disorienting and costly transfers to the Emergency Department for health challenges that could potentially be treated in place,...