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...
Arbitration battles loom after Supreme Court inaction, tough new guidance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 05, 2022
The US Supreme Court this week refused to hear arguments that nursing homes should be able to require pre-dispute arbitration agreements, clearing the way for enforcement of stiff new arbitration rules...
New CMS data platform raises concerns about access, worker privacy
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 20, 2022
A technology change is raising concerns about data access and worker privacy as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services transitions to a new, more secure data-reporting process.
Key senator pressures state survey agencies over staffing-related delays
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 13, 2022
Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA) is demanding state survey agencies report information on extensive delays, staffing shortages and other challenges in the nursing home inspection process.
‘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...
States need to step up with nurse aide waiver clearer, providers say
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 31, 2022
The formal extension of a waiver program that relaxes certification requirements for some nurse aides was widely embraced by providers a day after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced...
CMS reveals differing opinions on minimum staffing approach
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 05, 2022
A study meant to underpin a new federal nursing home staffing minimum will last about seven months and end in December, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official said Thursday.
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...
While regulators are working furiously to push through a comprehensive nursing home reform agenda backed by the Biden administration, providers remain concerned about an earlier change whose impact is...
Feds’ spotlight on owners could detract from patient focus, experts warn
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 21, 2022
An effort to improve transparency into nursing home ownership took a major leap forward when federal officials posted previously non-public data Wednesday. But providers and legal experts cautioned that...