Nursing homes fire back after CMS warning about ‘exploitative’ debt-collection practices
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 12, 2022
A warning letter sent late last week by federal regulators about nursing home debt collection practices was overblown and obscured another significant problem, nursing home operations experts said over...
Nursing home pay rule reveals CMS strategy on minimum staffing
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 13, 2022
If there’s one thing nursing home providers, consumer advocates and regulators can all agree on when it comes to the development of a federal minimum staffing rule, it might be just how difficult the...
Even with PHE extension, providers worry about early demise of nurse aide waiver
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 21, 2021
The ongoing Public Health Emergency extends CMS waivers related to hiring, admissions and assessment practices. But as the agency has already shown, it has the authority to revoke those Section 1135 waivers...
As skilled nursing ‘teeters,’ leaders look to DC for help on pay rule and more
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 02, 2022
More than 500 skilled nursing providers are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., Monday ready to press federal lawmakers for solutions on staffing and revenue issues that threaten patient access across...
Providers ‘very encouraged’ after meeting with CMS leader on nursing home reform
By
Danielle Brown
James M. Berklan
Mar 30, 2022
After initial dismay upon hearing the administration’s strategies for sweeping new nursing home reform plans last month, providers were more optimistic after meeting with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
CMS surprises with therapy pay levels in 2022 Medicare physician fee rule
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 14, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services pleasantly surprised long-term care therapy providers with several parts of the new 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule that it released Tuesday.
CMS on holidays: No get-togethers, full guidance may be forthcoming
By
Liza Berger
Nov 06, 2020
Lest you think Thanksgiving will be a time to soften some COVID-19 restrictions for residents, think again.
PEPPER’s pause doesn’t wipe out prospects for nursing home self-monitoring
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 06, 2024
Federal regulators have suspended a key tool used by some nursing homes for internal auditing, but experts cautioned providers not to let the stoppage hinder their compliance efforts.
CMS ‘naive’ about staffing minimum proposal details, professor claims
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 20, 2023
The proposed federal staffing rule is “shockingly low” and will not measurably improve working and care conditions in nursing homes, consumer advocates claimed during a webinar that was conducted without...
Arbitration battles loom after Supreme Court inaction, tough new guidance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 05, 2022
The US Supreme Court this week refused to hear arguments that nursing homes should be able to require pre-dispute arbitration agreements, clearing the way for enforcement of stiff new arbitration rules...