Analysis: PPE costs increase over 1,000% during COVID-19 crisis
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 09, 2020
Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers treating COVID-19 patients have experienced a 1,064% increase in costs for required personal protective equipment since the deadly virus started its...
BREAKING: Nursing home commission makes 27 recommendations, calls for ‘greater leadership role’...
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 16, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released recommendations from the Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes on Wednesday and, as expected, they contain a laundry list of...
Feds’ ‘dramatic expansion’ of telehealth widens payment coverage; HIPAA rules are relaxed for COVID-19
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 18, 2020
The federal government removed Medicare restrictions for telehealth coverage nationwide Tuesday while also temporarily relaxing HIPAA obligations for providers. The latter opens the door for doctors’...
BREAKING: Feds partner with CVS, Walgreens to provide pending COVID-19 vaccinations to all senior care...
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 16, 2020
Residents and workers of all long-term care settings will receive free vaccinations against the coronavirus onsite under a special public-private partnership with pharmaceutical giants CVS and Walgreens,...
COVID-19 vaccinations are essentially at a standstill in U.S. nursing homes and assisted living communities due to federal officials’ call today for a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Admin, DON salaries rise at a slower clip
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 08, 2006
Nursing home administrators hit a record high national median salary this year, and so did directors of nursing. But each group saw a slowdown in momentum that built last year.
CMS makes 60 changes to finalize new MDS playbook
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 25, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final version of the new Resident Assessment Instrument manual Thursday .
Risk management feature — Taking a gamble
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 08, 2006
The task of risk management is becoming more complicated as the number of Alzheimer’s and dementia residents rises.
Providers hopeful about next Senate virus relief bill
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 09, 2020
Nursing home operators and the rest of the country may soon know the key components in a fourth, and likely final, coronavirus relief package from the federal government.
Parkinson: We’ll know effects of PDPM 5 to 6 weeks in, also cautions investors
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 11, 2019
The leader of the largest nursing home association in the country said Monday that it should take about six weeks to develop a clear understanding of the ramifications of a drastically overhauled Medicare...