CDC says COVID-19 vaccine boosters not yet necessary, while Pfizer seeks approval for third dose
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2021
Fully vaccinated Americans do not need a COVID-19 booster shot at this time, according to federal health officials. But Pfizer has asked to offer a third dose of its current vaccine and is developing an...
Nursing home residents targeted in $86M Medicare lab fraud scheme: DOJ
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 09, 2021
Nursing homes and their residents were targeted in an alleged $86 million Medicare fraud scheme orchestrated by the owner of a Tennessee-based lab, federal authorities say.
Shrinking lender pool could threaten a hot LTC market, Ziegler warns
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 08, 2021
A declining pool of lenders may have undercut some deals during what was otherwise a fast-paced quarter for mergers and acquisitions in long-term care and seniors housing.
Nursing home suspends nurse over TikTok videos where she allegedly joked about abusing patients
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 08, 2021
A North Carolina nursing home has suspended one of its nurses for videos she posted on TikTok that allegedly showed her joking about mistreating residents.
Nursing home occupancy still ‘very low’ at 73% but analysts cheer third straight rise
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 06, 2021
Skilled nursing occupancy climbed for a third straight month in April, reaching 73.2%, according to the latest data released by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care.
Therapy providers agree to $8.4M settlement for upcoding allegations
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 06, 2021
Two therapy providers will pay a total of $8.4 million after being accused of providing unnecessary services at skilled nursing facilities in order to increase their Medicare reimbursements.
The finalists for the 2021 McKnight’s Tech Awards have arrived
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 02, 2021
A panel of expert judges has determined the short list of finalists for the 2021 McKnight’s Excellent in Technology Awards competition.
Antigen tests just as effective as PCR in preventing COVID outbreaks, NIH study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 02, 2021
A “highly anticipated” study now shows that both testing approaches can give 98% sensitivity when used at least twice weekly in a screening program.
CMS per-incident penalties for providers soar — and could be headed higher
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 01, 2021
The total amount of fines the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has collected through per-incident penalties has increased more than eight-fold from 2016 to 2020, and the figure is projected to...
Little to no gains for nursing home infection preventionists pre-COVID
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 30, 2021
In the five years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities did little to improve the number or quality of in-house infection preventionists, according to member...