CMS: Phase 3 final guidance imminent, ‘a lot coming’
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 29, 2022
NEW ORLEANS — Nursing home operators can expect long-awaited final guidance on Phase 3 Requirements of Participation “very, very soon,” the federal government’s top skilled nursing official said...
First vaccine deadline arrives for healthcare workers in half the nation
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 28, 2022
Surveyors can now evaluate long-term care providers’ compliance with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate covering healthcare workers in half of the United States. Many long-term care providers are ready...
Inspector General report: 1 in 7 nursing home residents are incorrectly prescribed psychotropic medications
May 11, 2011
As many as one in seven elderly nursing home residents, most of whom have dementia, are being prescribed expensive, powerful antipsychotic medications that increase the risk of death, according to a report...
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services appears to be weighing changes to its nursing home room capacity standards, based on recommendations included in updated guidance released Wednesday.
New CMS guidance dictates nursing homes must report COVID-19 cases to CDC, residents and families
By
Liza Berger
Apr 20, 2020
In new but anticipated guidance released Sunday night, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requiring nursing homes to report any COVID-19 cases directly to the Centers for Disease Control and...
MA plans ordered to cover COVID-19 lab tests
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 23, 2020
Coronavirus lab tests for nursing home residents must be covered by Medicare Administrative Contractors and Medicare Advantage plans, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday.
‘Special’ times ahead for more nursing homes, and that’s not good
By
James M. Berklan
May 28, 2014
As spring blends into summer, some nursing home operators are going to start feeling more heat — and it will have nothing to do with the weather. They will be given places on the proverbial hot seat....
Face masks an ‘acceptable’ alternative to respirators during supply shortage: CMS
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 13, 2020
Save respirators for procedures likely to generate respiratory droplets and increase the risk of viral exposure, the agency says.
CMS adds information for nursing homes on Five-Star system, RAC to Web site
May 26, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced a number of updates to its Web site. These include new information about the Five-Star rating system for nursing homes, which will become available...
Bigger trash cans allowed in updated LSC waiver rule
By
Ashley Carman
Sep 05, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated its Life Safety Code Waivers on Aug. 30. The update is designed to prevent “unreasonable hardship” for providers while maintaining resident...