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.
BREAKING: New CMS ownership proposal targets private equity, REITs and related parties
By
Kimberly Marselas
James M. Berklan
Feb 13, 2023
The Department of Health and Human Service this afternoon proposed a new nursing home ownership disclosure rule intended to make more clear ownership and management operations of facilities.
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...
Parkinson, former CMS chief agree: ‘Nightmare’ COVID-19 a chance for providers to learn, improve
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 07, 2020
COVID-19 has been a “clinical nightmare and a business disaster” but also can be an outstanding learning opportunity, leaders said Tuesday.
State courts push back on nursing homes’ federal right to arbitrate
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 12, 2023
A spate of recent battles over arbitration agreements may force courts and lawmakers to once again tackle who can enter one on behalf of a nursing home resident — and whether they can ever be mandated...
Data lapses did not affect Five-Star ratings, CMS says as providers call for review of agency’s...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 13, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Wednesday it was taking “seriously” a damning report that questioned the accuracy of information it posted on its Care Compare site, but added that...
Consumer group counterpunches as nursing homes worry about staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 03, 2023
A notable consumer group has released a report accusing government overseers of not adequately tracking billions of dollars given to providers for related party transactions.
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.
CMS ‘interested’ in patient satisfaction scores for nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 22, 2020
Federal regulators say that nursing homes could eventually come to see patient satisfaction scores included in Five Star Quality Ratings and on the Nursing Home Compare website.
CMS proposal offers long-awaited fix for Medicare Advantage appeals
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 08, 2023
Skilled nursing providers would get a new, improved appeals process for Medicare Advantage denials under a proposal issued late Monday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.