When it comes to unions, representation and power aren’t in lock step
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 23, 2024
Is union power on a downswing? As ever, the answer may depend on who you ask, or how you do the math.
Claims audit will affect every nursing home starting June 5
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 30, 2023
Every skilled nursing facility in the US will be subject to a five-claim audit starting the week of June 5 as regulators try to better assess and root out improper payments.
Lab charged with billing $358 million for unneeded nursing home COVID tests
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 21, 2023
A lab owner has been accused of fraudulently billing Medicare and insurers for more than $358 million worth of COVID-related tests that nursing home clients said they neither wanted nor needed.
Congressional Briefing set for June 5
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 26, 2023
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living will hold its annual Congressional Briefing in Washington, DC, June 5 and 6.
Another week, more Medicare dis-Advantages
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 22, 2023
It’s starting to feel like every week brings another reason to begrudge Medicare Advantage plans their market-dominating growth.
Nursing homes reveal widespread emergency planning barriers in new OIG report
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 06, 2023
More than three-quarters of US nursing homes in areas at high risk for natural disasters face significant challenges in preparing for them, estimates a new federal report issued early Wednesday.
Nursing home critics attack staffing cost argument, urge providers to come to the table
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 21, 2023
Federal officials and the public need more visibility into nursing home spending to determine whether their concerns about the cost of complying with a nationwide staffing mandate are justified, well-known...
Feds’ value-based changes present ‘long overdue’ opening for SNFs
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 06, 2023
Payment and quality experts on Wednesday described extensive changes proposed for skilled nursing’s value-based purchasing program as “long overdue” and a way to “reset the playing field.”
MedPAC members rip ‘brute force test’ of staffing mandate, ponder consequences and possible gaming
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 06, 2023
A key Congressional advisory panel expressed deep skepticism Thursday over the proposed federal nursing home staffing mandate and whether it would address ongoing quality concerns in the post-acute care...
July/August state news
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 07, 2023
Texas skilled nursing providers in May got their first increase in the Medicaid base rate in 10 years, along with supplemental funding to help providers stay afloat until that new rate kicks in this September.