Pay boost might not absorb ‘sudden changes or shocks’ but providers mostly content with 3.7% hike
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jun 06, 2023
The official comment period for a proposed 3.7% nursing home pay hike closed Monday with just 45 comments, a historically paltry number indicating that, unlike previous pay rules, the sector is mostly...
Opponents of the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers are pursuing two fresh pathways to defeat it. Both challenges cite the pandemic’s current, less critical stage...
In ‘transition,’ CMS asks providers to weigh in on key rules
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 11, 2022
NASHVILLE, TN — Many providers renewed their concerns about staffing constraints, workforce retention and the survey process during a rare live forum with a top Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
With ‘hundreds’ of facilities audited over schizophrenia, CMS pursues harsher antipsychotics stance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 19, 2024
With half of nursing homes audited in a new process admitting to misdiagnosing schizophrenia patients, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is extending its drive to reduce the use of certain drugs...
Docs got $22.5M in overpayments by miscoding services during SNF stays: OIG
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 01, 2023
Physicians billed Medicare for at least $22 million in services that should have been included under a skilled nursing stay, a new report from the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General...
Section D surprises! The season’s biggest change
By
Joel VanEaton
Oct 31, 2023
There has been a slogan that has circulated on social media recently that goes like this: “Fall is proof that change is beautiful.” Hmm… I suppose individual perspective is the key to whether that...
Providers find few silver linings, stew over minimum staffing demands
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 05, 2023
The initial jolt of the newly proposed nursing home staffing mandate has softened little over the long holiday weekend and now those tasked with making it work — providers — are coming to grips with...
OIG to audit CMS oversight of state-contracted nursing home surveyors
By
Josh Henreckson
Jan 23, 2024
A top federal watchdog will audit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ nursing home survey practices in 2024, according to a new report.
Claims audit will affect every nursing home starting June 5
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 30, 2023
Every skilled nursing facility in the US will be subject to a five-claim audit starting the week of June 5 as regulators try to better assess and root out improper payments.
Staffing rule could bring system ‘collapse,’ providers say, but CMS stands firm
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 27, 2023
Nursing homes’ leading lobbying organization unloaded a full, research-backed attack on the viability of the White House’s proposed staffing mandate Tuesday. But the administration was unmoved, and...