State high court keeps provider COVID immunity in play but further defines scope
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 14, 2023
Connecticut’s highest court has offered a mixed ruling for a nursing home that sought dismissal of a wrongful death suit under a state provision limiting COVID-era liability.
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.
Class action suit targets Medicare Advantage insurer’s use of AI to end rehab stays
By
Josh Henreckson
Dec 14, 2023
Two skilled nursing patients filed a class action suit against Humana Tuesday — alleging their Medicare Advantage benefits were cut prematurely short because of Humana’s wrongful reliance on artificial...
Makers of newer vaccines tout advantages as trial results and approvals announced
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2021
Two drugmakers say their vaccines, which include J&J’s one-dose candidate, are effective against new coronavirus variants, while AstraZeneca’s vaccine is now approved for adults across the...
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.
‘Incomplete’ oversight lets Medicaid managed care denials go largely unchecked: MACPAC
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 22, 2023
While much of the outrage around managed care denials has been directed toward Medicare Advantage plans, a federal advisory panel Thursday outlined policies that could force states to better track denials...
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...