CDC starts much-anticipated training for mandatory COVID-19 reporting by nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 30, 2020
Details about the new process nursing homes will have to use to report COVID-19 infections and deaths directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began flowing Wednesday.
Nursing homes criticize CMS chest-thumping about $15.5M pandemic fines, severe citations
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 17, 2020
Nursing home operators were left shaking their heads and criticizing the Trump administration over the weekend after the latter touted larger than usual numbers of serious citations and fine amounts against...
CMS doubles down: Surveyors do not have to be COVID vaccinated
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 07, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has held audiences with skilled nursing providers, made presentations and entertained comments in recent months to assure operators that regulatory actions...
White House to extend PHE designation through April, reports say
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 14, 2022
The federal government will extend the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration until at least April, according to published reports.
Providers worried about CMS pace on new MDS materials
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 09, 2022
Skilled nursing operators were happily surprised in September with an early draft of MDS revisions, but ever since it’s been a slog getting more information.
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,...
And the Oscar goes to … not this cockeyed production
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 16, 2023
I recently woke up in a fog to the middle of some movie where innocent villagers were being accused by the sheriff of crimes they were certain they hadn’t committed.
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....
CMS leader mum on staffing mandate, delivers ‘back to basics’ message
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 08, 2023
A CMS leader steered clear of staffing mandate talk but highlighted a nursing home workforce campaign, renewed survey priorities, discharge processes and much more Tuesday.
Providers find few silver linings, stew over minimum staffing demands
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 05, 2023
The initial jolt of the newly proposed nursing home staffing mandate has softened little over the long holiday weekend and now those tasked with making it work — providers — are coming to grips with...