In breakthrough, feds OK nursing home visits, group dining and activities; update infection control guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 28, 2021
After nearly a year in lockdown, nursing home residents can participate in indoor visitation, communal dining and group activities — with exceptions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced...
CDC: COVID vaccines safe during pregnancy, allaying a top concern of nursing home workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 28, 2021
Pregnancy concerns are cited as one of the top reasons for vaccine hesitancy among long-term care workers, but there were no obvious signs of third trimester adverse events among pregnant women who received...
As Medicare Advantage drives rate lower, fed-up CEOs embrace strategies that limit carriers’ influence
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 26, 2021
Medicare Advantage’s aggressive market penetration represents a major threat to skilled nursing providers, some of whom now find themselves clearing less per resident day through MA plans than they do...
Non-covered losses and steep rate increases: New report issues bleak outlook for provider insurance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 23, 2021
The best positioned long-term and senior care providers can expect to see liability insurance rates climb by as much as 30% this year, while those with previous losses and poor venues will face even stiffer...
Spring cleaning 2021: Will your rehab team pass the white-glove review?
By
Renee Kinder
Apr 22, 2021
Spring is in the air. Time to open the doors, let some fresh air in, and clean above, under and between every surface in our homes. Spring is a season that allows my obsessive cleaning habits to become...
‘Audits are back,’ and COVID-19 care is in the hot seat
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 21, 2021
Flexibilities granted to providers during the ongoing public health emergency are likely to result in increased medical reviews and automated denials, a therapy billing specialist is warning.
FDA says it’s time to move away from mask reuse
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 13, 2021
Healthcare facilities should move away from decontaminating and reusing disposable masks now that U.S. respirator supply has recovered, the agency says.
Danger ahead?: SNFs face potentially steep cuts as CMS considers changes to PDPM, VBP program
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 12, 2021
A recalibration to the Patient Driven Payment Model could have troubling payment implications for skilled nursing providers who are still trying to manage a difficult operating environment caused by the...
Nursing home COVID cases jump 635% despite vaccinations, and state’s elective surgeries slow down
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 12, 2021
Michigan providers are on high alert following a huge, unexpected surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths at facilities despite a vaccination program in full force.
Operator imposes vaccine mandate for employees as part of ‘growing industry trend’ in long-term care
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 05, 2021
An Ohio skilled nursing and assisted living operator with more than 2,000 employees says it is “joining a growing industry trend” and mandating employee COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment.