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’...
Scrutiny of nursing home corporate ownership fires up again on multiple fronts
By
John Hall
Aug 08, 2022
Long-simmering discontent with what some lawmakers and many consumer advocates see as cagey nursing home corporate ownership arrangements erupted again Friday.
Therapy carnage at start of PDPM not as severe as feared: study
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 02, 2021
The first academic study of its kind has found that the first three months of nursing homes’ overhauled Medicare payment system at the end of 2019 led to a distinct drop-off in the employed number of...
BREAKING: Federal regulators tout $15M in fines, tripling of ‘Immediate Jeopardy’ citations against...
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 14, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday afternoon that it has levied more than $15 million in fines and tripled the most severe type of citations to nursing homes during the six months...
BREAKING: U.S. nursing home system ‘ineffective,’ ‘unsustainable,’ National Academies...
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 06, 2022
A long-awaited national report has found that the way the United States finances, delivers and regulates nursing home care is ineffective and unstable. Immediate action is needed to bring meaningful changes...
Admins’ pay rises to $102K, DONs’ up to $90K
By
Liza Berger
Nov 05, 2016
The long-term care field is showing signs of robust health. For the first time since the recession hit eight years ago, it is offering strong pay increases across the board — from certified nursing assistants...
Reader Poll: What non-work project are you working on in your spare time?
Nov 05, 2015
“One of my most favorite projects to work on when I’m not at work creating extraordinary experiences for our elders is gardening. I have perennials around my entire home and garage as well...
Providers happy nursing homes are among White House’s top priorities but disheartened at approach
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 02, 2022
Long-term care advocates say they are grateful President Joe Biden is placing what they call a much-needed priority on nursing homes, but the administration’s plan to crack down on providers through...
Nursing home leaders unraveling after months of pandemic dangers, workloads, McKnight’s survey shows
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 07, 2021
Findings of the 2021 McKnight’s Mood of the Market survey shed unsettling light on fragile workplaces and severely tested workforces.
BREAKING: CMS finalizes 2.7% pay raise, two year phase-in for PDPM cuts
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 29, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday afternoon announced a finalized cut to nursing home Medicare pay rates for fiscal 2023.