Omicron variant, lack of booster prioritization could haunt SNFs as occupancy dips
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 10, 2021
Skilled nursing occupancy declined in September, weeks before the omicron variant of COVID-19 arrived and further threatened the industry’s recovery.
BREAKING: CMS resumes routine inspections for nursing home providers
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 17, 2020
After nearly five months, federal officials disclosed Monday that they are resuming routine inspections for all Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers.
WH task force ‘outrageous’ for not prioritizing nursing homes, group says
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 29, 2020
The White House’s Coronavirus Task Force held a public briefing for the first time in more than two months late last week, and the most notable accomplishment from it might have been the way it further...
Advisory group recommends granny cams, more infection control regs
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 11, 2021
Connecticut nursing homes could be required to increase their on-hand supply of personal protective equipment and allow residents or their families to install cameras in their rooms, if recommendations...
Feds still ‘optimistic’ limited supply of a COVID-19 vaccine will be ready by year’s end
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 22, 2020
Federal officials are confident that a COVID-19 vaccine will be ready to distribute by the end of this year just days after announcing a major program that would provide the medication for long-term care...
New guidance affirms providers’ right to reject religious exemptions for COVID vaccinations due to...
By
Danielle Brown
James M. Berklan
Oct 27, 2021
Long-term care providers shouldn’t read too much into updated COVID-19 vaccination guidance on religious exemptions released this week by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to...
Minimum staffing requirements, higher Medicaid funding for nursing home workforce highlight new bill
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 11, 2021
Nursing homes would be required to meet minimum staffing standards but also receive additional Medicaid funds to support workforce and care improvements under federal legislation introduced Tuesday.
CMS considers payment changes for treating, preventing coronavirus; CDC to expand test access
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 04, 2020
Medicare and Medicaid may cover coronavirus treatment and prevention, the federal government suggested this week, amid other developments in the rapidly evolving situation.
Washington state facilities accused of banning window visits
By
Danielle Brown
May 18, 2020
Washington state providers are defending themselves against complaints that their facilities have stopped window visits during the coronavirus pandemic.
PDPM revenue, caring for COVID patients ‘significantly offsetting’ CareTrust’s decline in occupancy
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 12, 2021
The Patient-Driven Payment Model arrived not a moment too soon for CareTrust REIT’s skilled nursing operators.