Officials: More additions and rebasings of nursing home ratings to come
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 23, 2015
Nearly one-third of the nation’s skilled nursing facilities lost a rating star due purely to administrative changes Friday, when regulators also emphasized that more quality measures will be added...
CMS official to providers: Help us capture data to drive Medicare Advantage reforms
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 07, 2024
The increased use of health data and providers’ own voices should be considered among the best tools available for achieving change in a system that increasingly relies on Medicaid Advantage and other...
‘Death spiral’ for SNFs as Medicare Advantage pay decreases
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 06, 2022
Pressure to accept low-ball contracts with Medicare Advantage plans that continue to reduce reimbursement is driving some skilled nursing providers into “a death spiral,” a major aging services association...
Not so fast: 10 states suing CMS over healthcare worker vax mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 12, 2021
Despite many legal analysts’ view that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ healthcare worker vaccination mandate will clear legal muster, a group of 10 states have filed suit to stop it.
CMS tightens guidance for nursing home dialysis providers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 23, 2023
Federal officials on Wednesday updated guidance meant to improve the delivery of nursing home dialysis, a service many providers have been adding to attract new residents and improve quality of life for...
While regulators are working furiously to push through a comprehensive nursing home reform agenda backed by the Biden administration, providers remain concerned about an earlier change whose impact is...
(Updated) CMS uncovers affiliated nursing homes with new ownership tools
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 29, 2023
Providers had a mixed response Wednesday afternoon to a new effort to create more public awareness of nursing home ownership, in particular when facilities share a parent organization.
Providers call for broader antipsychotic exclusions to help reduce schizophrenia diagnoses
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 31, 2023
Providers and quality experts are questioning why the agency hasn’t done more to review its quality measure for antipsychotic drug use.
Experts fear ‘bigger, stronger stick’ in new Medicare pay rule
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 01, 2024
Nursing home stakeholders are reacting with contempt and concern to key provisions of the newly proposed fiscal 2025 Medicare Part A pay rule.
COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadlines push providers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 17, 2022
With every state but Texas now covered by rules mandating when workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19, providers are facing increased urgency around ongoing vaccination campaigns.