As nursing homes fret COVID-19 vaccine distribution, only 14% say they’ll mandate it for staff
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 18, 2020
Nursing home operators continue to worry about the timing and quantities of newly approved COVID-19 vaccines reaching them this week and next, but some of the fretting could be for nought. Less than 15%...
Nursing homes to feds: Expand COVID-19 testing to all, pay $120K per facility, increase PPE shipments
By
James M. Berklan
May 05, 2020
The nation’s largest nursing home and assisted living association has turned up the pressure on the federal government, sending formal letters to federal authorities Monday asking for priority COVID-19...
Analysis: PPE costs increase over 1,000% during COVID-19 crisis
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 09, 2020
Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers treating COVID-19 patients have experienced a 1,064% increase in costs for required personal protective equipment since the deadly virus started its...
BREAKING: Nursing home commission makes 27 recommendations, calls for ‘greater leadership role’...
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 16, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released recommendations from the Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes on Wednesday and, as expected, they contain a laundry list of...
Feds’ ‘dramatic expansion’ of telehealth widens payment coverage; HIPAA rules are relaxed for COVID-19
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 18, 2020
The federal government removed Medicare restrictions for telehealth coverage nationwide Tuesday while also temporarily relaxing HIPAA obligations for providers. The latter opens the door for doctors’...
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,...
COVID-19 vaccinations are essentially at a standstill in U.S. nursing homes and assisted living communities due to federal officials’ call today for a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Providers hopeful about next Senate virus relief bill
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 09, 2020
Nursing home operators and the rest of the country may soon know the key components in a fourth, and likely final, coronavirus relief package from the federal government.
Want to be like Fauci? Here’s your chance
By
James M. Berklan
May 15, 2020
I’d be willing to bet Dr. Anthony Fauci’s poll numbers rank ahead of almost any other serious figure in the public eye. And why not? He is a man of science and says his principles guide him. It...
The naked truth about COVID-19 priorities
By
James M. Berklan
May 08, 2020
Long-term care providers’ beseeching requests for more personal protective equipment are truly noble and necessary. But I have to say, they’re going about it all wrong.