Former CMS chief Verma: Regulators ‘over their skis’ with staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 02, 2023
Federal regulators are in over their heads with the proposed first-ever nursing home staffing mandate, the former head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Wednesday.
Two preeminent skilled nursing researchers are calling for significant changes to a proposed federal staffing mandate that would build on “the rule’s strengths while addressing shortcomings and minimizing...
With $1B to invest, Ensign Group sets sights on new states
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 27, 2023
The Ensign Group is sitting on more than $1 billion in reserves, with company officials saying Thursday they are eager to continue on a growth trajectory fueled by leadership availability and geographic...
Former Speaker Ryan says CMS staffing mandate can be overruled, tabs senior care workforce solutions
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 25, 2023
NIC keynote speaker and former US House Speaker Paul Ryan optimistically emphasized immigration reform and technology as the two best tools to help senior care operators overcome dire staffing shortages.
Certain populations to receive Paxlovid free through 2024, under new agreement
By
Kristen Fischer
Oct 17, 2023
Paxlovid, an oral drug that treats COVID-19, will begin to enter the commercial market starting next month. At the same time, the US federal government is making sure that the country has enough supply,...
Respiratory therapy, other coded services creating software snags under new MDS
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 17, 2023
More than two weeks into dealing with a large-scale update to the Minimum Data Set, providers continue to grapple with a range of coding concerns, including an inability of some software systems to capture...
Also in the News for Monday, Oct. 16
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 16, 2023
DOJ still aiming to retry healthcare fraudster Esformes, despite Trump clemency … Prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida auris in patients receiving mechanical ventilation … Alzheimer’s...
Two new studies identify potential warning signs of cognitive decline in older adults
By
John Roszkowski
Oct 13, 2023
Older adults who show subtle decline on standard memory and cognitive tests may be at increased risk for developing mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia, according to the results of a new...
Hypertension drug does not pose health risks, study finds
By
John Roszkowski
Oct 13, 2023
New research suggests that a drug commonly used to treat hypertension is not dangerous, despite the concerns of some clinicians and researchers about potential health risks.
Expand early hospital-to-post-acute transfer payments to save millions: OIG
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 12, 2023
Expanding the types of conditions for which hospital patients can be discharged early to post-acute care, forgoing full prospective payment, could save the Medicare system millions of dollars annually,...