When a skilled nursing facility changes ownership, the change is known in healthcare vernacular as a change of ownership or “CHOW.” Because this could wind up endangering a Medicare provider...
Ready Set: QAPI!
By
Steven Littlehale
Nov 05, 2012
Nursing facilities must submit written QAPI plans to CMS one year after promulgation of the regulation. This regulation will be in addition to current QAA standards.
Hans and CMS: Two peas in a value-based pod
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 02, 2024
In another life, in another millennium, on another continent, your faithful scribe was an auto factory worker. This led to many unexpected insights into human nature that I still recall decades later....
It’s time to put up or shut up on vaccine mandates
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 20, 2021
Will Wednesday’s White House announcement that COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandated for nursing home employees be a dealbreaker? It depends.
Selling fear: Are you buying?
By
Steven Littlehale
Oct 17, 2016
Fearmongering has certainly played a major role in the 2016 presidential race, but you might not realize it’s also become more and more common in our own industry as well.
BREAKING: CMS issues new guidance, opening up nursing home visitation
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 17, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued new guidance for visitation in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As skilled nursing ‘teeters,’ leaders look to DC for help on pay rule and more
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 02, 2022
More than 500 skilled nursing providers are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., Monday ready to press federal lawmakers for solutions on staffing and revenue issues that threaten patient access across...
States get needed nurse aide waiver relief but workers’ fates uncertain
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 07, 2022
Skilled nursing providers in at least 15 states averted the loss of thousands of frontline workers Thursday, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services let expire a blanket national waiver allowing...
BREAKING: Feds partner with CVS, Walgreens to provide pending COVID-19 vaccinations to all senior care...
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 16, 2020
Residents and workers of all long-term care settings will receive free vaccinations against the coronavirus onsite under a special public-private partnership with pharmaceutical giants CVS and Walgreens,...
BREAKING: CMS finalizes therapy pay cuts in 2022 Physician Pay Rule, and extends COVID reporting period
By
Danielle Brown
James M. Berklan
Nov 02, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a 15% payment reduction for physical and occupational therapy assistants, and extended temporary telehealth services added to Medicare during the...