MDS draft sends sector, states scrambling to assess effects
By
Joe Bush
Sep 07, 2022
Long-term care facilities, staff and half the states in the US should start preparing immediately for extensive changes to the Minimum Data Set, resident assessment experts said this week.
CMS official to providers: Help us capture data to drive Medicare Advantage reforms
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 07, 2024
The increased use of health data and providers’ own voices should be considered among the best tools available for achieving change in a system that increasingly relies on Medicaid Advantage and other...
As Medicaid disenrollments surge, concerns about nursing home residents persist
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jun 05, 2023
Although hundreds of thousands have been knocked off state Medicaid rolls this spring, worries about dropped coverage for Medicaid-dependent nursing home residents have so far not proven reality in large...
CMS tightens guidance for nursing home dialysis providers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 23, 2023
Federal officials on Wednesday updated guidance meant to improve the delivery of nursing home dialysis, a service many providers have been adding to attract new residents and improve quality of life for...
‘Death spiral’ for SNFs as Medicare Advantage pay decreases
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 06, 2022
Pressure to accept low-ball contracts with Medicare Advantage plans that continue to reduce reimbursement is driving some skilled nursing providers into “a death spiral,” a major aging services association...
New state staffing ratios unearth ‘grave’ concerns about vacant jobs, empty beds
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 24, 2023
Despite increased state funding that has allowed nursing homes to provide raises for existing staff and increase starting salaries, the number of Pennsylvania providers limiting census due to staffing...
Timing narrows on White House-led staffing rule; funding remains in question
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 10, 2023
A White House budget released Thursday proposes no new ways to recruit or pay for more nursing home workers, even as federal officials are expected to unveil a minimum staffing standard in coming weeks.
With bankruptcies increasing, lawmakers look to regulate CCRC refund process
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 21, 2023
The bankruptcy filing of Illinois’ largest nonprofit life plan community has brought renewed attention to resident refunds, an issue already being targeted for reform by state lawmakers.
(Updated) CMS uncovers affiliated nursing homes with new ownership tools
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 29, 2023
Providers had a mixed response Wednesday afternoon to a new effort to create more public awareness of nursing home ownership, in particular when facilities share a parent organization.
$300M for nursing homes won’t address long-term workforce problems
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Aug 07, 2023
The first of two, one-time state payments are on their way to Minnesota’s nursing homes, but facilities will not be able to use the funds for items that appear on cost reports, such as staff wages and...