CMS details 5 new scenarios that trigger infection control-focused surveys
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 06, 2021
Multiple weeks with new coronavirus cases or low staffing are among the additional scenarios that will trigger a focused infection control survey at a nursing home, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
Lawmakers want fresh LTC vaccination data in MDS, on Nursing Home Compare
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 04, 2021
A pair of prominent lawmakers are urging the federal government to provide ongoing data updates about the progress of its COVID-19 vaccination program at long-term care facilities in a push for more transparency.
CMS: Calculations for nursing home inspection ratings will resume in late January
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 07, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will resume calculating nursing homes’ health inspection ratings starting on Jan. 27, 2021, the agency announced in a memo Friday.
CMS finalizes ‘shocking’ 9% therapy cuts, while affirming vast expansion of telehealth pay provisions
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 01, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services formally announced Tuesday afternoon that it has finalized its calendar 2021 physician pay rule, which cuts physical and occupational therapy payments to nursing...
Regular surveys resume at nursing homes, but CMS treads carefully with enforcement penalties
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 20, 2020
State survey agencies have already begun to resume regular survey activities at nursing homes across the country, according to a top Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official.
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...
1 in 8 nursing home workers have completed COVID-19 training program, CMS says
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is calling for more nursing home staff members to complete its new training program designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
CMS on holidays: No get-togethers, full guidance may be forthcoming
By
Liza Berger
Nov 06, 2020
Lest you think Thanksgiving will be a time to soften some COVID-19 restrictions for residents, think again.
CMS gives its nursing home info a new online hub
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 02, 2020
Nursing home providers now have a one-stop source to find all of the latest information from the federal government on guidance and resources available to them.
6 new quality measures for SNFs now showing on Nursing Home Compare
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 29, 2020
New performance data on skilled nursing providers, which features six additional measures, is now on the Nursing Home Compare website, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Wednesday. ...