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 chief holds second 1-on-1 with providers as reform looms
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 04, 2022
Leaders of several nonprofit skilled nursing providers warned Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure about the potential impact of “unfunded mandates” and “counterproductive”...
Foresight and flexibility the keys to COVID-19 survival, top exec says
By
James M. Berklan
May 04, 2020
As long-term care providers continue to struggle with the deadly implications of COVID-19, hesitation could be their biggest threat, says one of the profession’s top leaders.
CMS going public with facility turnover, weekend staffing data
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 10, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services late Friday announced that it will begin posting nursing home staff turnover rates and weekend staffing levels on the consumer-facing Medicare Care Compare...
Public data on coronavirus nursing home outbreaks still weeks away
By
Danielle Brown
May 11, 2020
The federal government is still weeks away from publicly reporting nationwide COVID-19 nursing home data, according to an NBC News report.
Prioritize ventilation over masking, ‘realistic’ epidemiologist advises long-term care providers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 23, 2022
Staying away from groups when sick and improved ventilation — but not masking — are the way forward at this point in the pandemic, a noted epidemiologist and COVID-19 advisor told a nursing home group...
What long-term care operators are doing to comply with federal vaccination rule by first deadline
By
Danielle Brown
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 11, 2021
It’s all hands on deck as long-term care operators quickly develop implementation plans to comply with the new federal COVID-19 vaccination rule for workers with the first deadline just over three weeks...
Obama endorses letting Medicare Payment Advisory Commission set payment rates
Jun 08, 2009
The move to empower the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee to enact its own policy proposals gained significant traction last week when President Obama said in a letter to lawmakers that he would be open...
Coronavirus uptick in nursing homes linked to rising community rates: AHCA
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2020
After a June drop in infections, an “alarming” July spike among nursing home residents put rates nearly back where they were in May. The numbers are not surprising, industry observers say.
CDC starts much-anticipated training for mandatory COVID-19 reporting by nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 30, 2020
Details about the new process nursing homes will have to use to report COVID-19 infections and deaths directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began flowing Wednesday.