CMS guidance bans most visitors, communal dining at nursing homes over COVID-19
By
James M. Berklan
Danielle Brown
Mar 16, 2020
Nursing homes are being directed to restrict all visitor access from its facilities as the nation works to combat and limit the spread of COVID-19. The guidance received instant support from providers...
AHCA and other groups pushing for extension of 2% Medicare sequester cut; Congress reaches deal on third...
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 21, 2020
Healthcare providers, including nursing homes, are demanding continued relief from the 2% Medicare sequester cuts through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief would help improve the “relatively...
‘A win-win:’ MedPAC officially makes recommendation to replace SNF VBP with new incentive model
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 17, 2021
A proposal by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to replace the current value-based purchasing program for skilled nursing facilities with a more equitable, value-incentive model would be a “win-win”...
All nursing homes should have POC testing devices by end of September
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 27, 2020
About 5,600 point-of-care testing devices have been shipped to nursing homes so far, a top federal official revealed this week.
Pharmacists claim answers to coronavirus challenges, as U.S. cases surpass 30,000
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 23, 2020
A pharmacist coalition is pushing the federal government to allow pharmacists to test and initiate treatment for COVID-19 patients.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will not be enforcing its rule requiring healthcare workers at Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19 while preliminary...
SNFs ‘significantly reduced’ occupational, physical therapy use following PDPM
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 15, 2022
The Patient Driven Payment Model led to a “significant reduction” in occupational and physical therapy minutes in its first few months of implementation, a new study has found. The results reinforce...
State revokes licenses, expels 7 Louisiana nursing homes from Medicaid program over Hurricane Ida deaths,...
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 08, 2021
The state of Louisiana has revoked licenses and terminated state Medicaid provider agreements for seven Louisiana nursing homes operated by a Baton Rouge real estate developer following the deaths of seven...
Parkinson: Census must recover 1% per month over next year for sector to rebound
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 03, 2021
Long-term care operators will have to rebuild occupancy by at least 1% per month for the next year for the industry to restore pre-pandemic census levels and financially recover from the public health...
CMS issues formal alert on how nursing homes should manage Thanksgiving visits
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed that it will be issuing an alert for providers on how they should manage residents and workers who may want to visit loved ones during the Thanksgiving...