Nursing homes with staffing shortages more susceptible to COVID-19 spread: study
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 13, 2020
Facilities with higher Five-star ratings for nurse staffing were less likely to have COVID-19 cases when compared with lower-rated providers, according to a new research letter published in the Journal...
Proposed 9% cut to therapy ‘potentially devastating’
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 05, 2020
A proposal to cut 9% from Medicare payments for physical and occupational therapy under the federal government’s Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule for 2021 could potentially have a “devastating...
Nursing homes accused of mismanaging pandemic relief funds
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 05, 2020
For-profit nursing home operators that have previously settled Medicare fraud allegations are now under suspicion of misusing federal pandemic relief funding.
Feds’ proposal to extend COVID-19 waivers would keep some telehealth expansions but could deliver rehab...
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 04, 2020
As expected and hoped for by many healthcare providers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday proposed permanently adopting some telehealth and therapy coverage expansions during the COVID-19...
2.2% Medicare raise slated for nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 03, 2020
Nursing home operators will receive an aggregate $750 million Medicare pay increase for fiscal year 2021 under a final rule announced Friday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It would amount...
Not so fast: Providers must check to make sure their state permits POC COVID-19 testing devices, guidance...
By
Liza Berger
Jul 31, 2020
As nursing homes wait for point-of care testing instruments and supplies to arrive from the federal government, they first should make sure they are complying with state public health guidelines regarding...
Proposal would require HHS to create nursing home strike teams for infection control
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 29, 2020
The Department of Health and Human Services would have to develop strike teams that would help nursing homes test residents for COVID-19 and assist with infection control practices under the GOP’s newly...
CMS violated federal contracting rules, OIG report finds
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 17, 2020
An investigation by a federal watchdog agency found that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services violated federal contracting rules by allowing contractors to perform government functions.
CMS to expedite review of CLIA waivers for COVID-19 point-of-care tests
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 16, 2020
Nursing homes will be required to have Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waivers to perform COVID-19 point-of-care tests. As a result, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is working...
QIOs uncertain how newly announced CMS plans will help many nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 16, 2020
QIOs and major provider organizations were caught off-guard by CMS’s declaration that expansive help would be provided to facilities across the country.