As many states have moved to tighten regulations in lockstep with the federal focus on nursing home reform, there’s often been an unexpected guest at the negotiating table.
Threat of devastating ‘bad debt’ grows as nursing home billing offices flounder
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 18, 2023
Unheard of staffing shortages in nursing home billing offices are leading to billing lapses and major uncollectible or ‘bad’ debt amounts. A $4 million case in Connecticut is fueling observers’ concerns...
Helping the assessors
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 06, 2017
Minimum Data Set coordinators serve vital functions in today’s skilled nursing facilities — their ability to dig deep is so critical that one software executive likens it to navigating the Andromeda...
Even as prevalence shrinks, PE chaos tarnishes nursing home sector
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 05, 2023
The plight of a private-equity backed, multi-state nursing home chain demonstrates the ugly challenges operators could face as officials ratchet up regulatory and transparency pressures and large-scale...
Staff texting can be a lifeline, but convenience comes with a cost, experts warn providers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 03, 2019
Late last year, anyone using the right search terms could have stumbled onto an open database containing valuable text messages that should have remained private — including appointment and billing information...
2022 McKnight’s Tech Awards + Summit shines
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 05, 2022
Following another year in which COVID-19 and staffing shortages forced skilled nursing operators to innovate, the McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards drew a record number of entries.
‘Raining for 4 years’: Historic nonprofit nursing home maintains legacy amid deluge of challenges
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 26, 2024
The Chapin Home has survived two pandemics, two world wars, the Great Depression and other economic calamities to serve the poor and ailing of New York City across three centuries.
Hoping for a new survey day
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 01, 2022
After two years in pandemic mode, many skilled nursing providers are still hoping for a routine visit from surveyors. Thousands need a fresh chance to improve ratings.
With ‘hundreds’ of facilities audited over schizophrenia, CMS pursues harsher antipsychotics stance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 19, 2024
With half of nursing homes audited in a new process admitting to misdiagnosing schizophrenia patients, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is extending its drive to reduce the use of certain drugs...
Price-gouging accusations lead to action: LTC operators seek agency staffing fixes
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 01, 2021
After watching pay for temporary workers explode over the last year-plus, providers have been calling out anti-competitive behavior and pushing for fast state and federal pricing reforms.