States need to step up with nurse aide waiver clearer, providers say
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 31, 2022
The formal extension of a waiver program that relaxes certification requirements for some nurse aides was widely embraced by providers a day after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced...
As staffing minimum looms, other workforce solutions simmer on back burner
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 02, 2023
A long-awaited federal rule that could rewrite how nursing home owners and operators staff their buildings is in the final stage of review before being released publicly.
Standard surveys continue to lag, with infection control a major tripwire
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 24, 2023
A year and a half after a federal watchdog blasted the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over extensive delays in nursing home inspections, year-end data for fiscal year 2023 shows there has been...
CMS should be careful in what it asks for
By
Brendan Williams
Dec 23, 2022
Those in the nursing home sector are worried a potential staffing mandate imposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could be the ruination of a reeling sector. However, there is an argument...
Aging committee chair delivers another broadside about nursing home surveys
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jul 28, 2023
A powerful US senator is bringing added firepower in his quest to fix what he sees as major issues with state surveys of nursing homes. It’s an effort that had one leading advocate channeling Alanis...
Senate leader who instigated SFF crackdown wants even tougher measures — and more funding — for...
By
Joe Bush
Oct 24, 2022
skilled nursing facilities, the key Senate leader who instigated the crackdown said he wanted even more oversight — as well as more funding — for providers.
Need a fresh survey strategy? CMS lays out 3
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 05, 2023
CMS officials have delivered an early gift to help providers like you map out where they should focus their compliance efforts — not just for 2024, but for 2025 as well.
LTCH closures send more patients to nursing homes, but are they ready?
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 22, 2023
Shifting payment policies have decreased Medicare spending on patients requiring mechanical ventilation, but they also have led to the closure of many long-term care hospitals and have driven more patients...
Next nursing home reform target: Emergency preparedness?
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 02, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may soon intensify its reform agenda focus on emergency planning, one of many areas targeted in President Biden’s 21-point nursing home plan unveiled earlier...
Providers find few silver linings, stew over minimum staffing demands
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 05, 2023
The initial jolt of the newly proposed nursing home staffing mandate has softened little over the long holiday weekend and now those tasked with making it work — providers — are coming to grips with...