CMS to begin audits for schizophrenia coding, says citations will affect quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2023
The agency will start auditing nursing homes this month to determine whether residents’ schizophrenia diagnoses are accurate and appropriately coded. A pattern of inaccurate coding may result in a quality...
[UPDATED] BREAKING: CMS proposes 4.1 percent nursing homes pay boost; staffing minimum not addressed
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 29, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Thursday proposed a 4.1% pay increase for nursing homes in fiscal 2025 but declined to issue an update on its staffing minimum proposal as part of its annual...
Congress advisers back permanent telehealth expansions, look to nix in-person rule for behavioral telehealth...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 12, 2024
Maintaining Medicare beneficiaries’ access to telehealth services, especially for behavioral health, must remain an initial priority over payment reform or quality measurement, members of a congressional...
Eschewing a ‘sweet spot’ for boutique-like service at any size: Creative Solutions’ Gary Blake
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 09, 2024
Gary Blake’s nameplate might say CEO, but in some ways, he envisions himself more as chief quality officer of Creative Solutions for Healthcare, the sprawling 159-facility skilled nursing company he...
Federal bill returning temporary nurse aide waiver gets new life
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 26, 2023
A bill that would allow non-certified nurse aides to work in nursing homes longer than four months has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives.
Good physical performance linked to longer living over 80
By
Kristen Fischer
May 07, 2024
Physical activity is vital to enhance longevity and help people live longer, which is why programs to promote physical activity should be a priority, authors of a study say.
New nursing home staffing headache? CMS and GAO agree new requirements needed for infection preventionists
By
Joe Bush
Sep 15, 2022
First came the federal requirement that every nursing home must have an infection control preventionist on staff. Now, a government watchdog says that minimum training requirements should be established...
CMS outlines 4-pronged minimum staffing study
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 23, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday revealed more details about how it will use nursing home site visits, data and other tools to formulate a minimum staffing standard, one that is meant...
‘Recession proof’ nursing homes may not see usual labor gains due to COVID
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 29, 2022
While nursing homes have traditionally been better able to compete for and keep workers in an economic downturn, a possible recession coming on the heels of COVID-19 will test conventional wisdom.
Nursing home workers praised for roles in harrowing tornado evacuation
By
Josh Henreckson
May 13, 2024
Staff members of Barnsdall Nursing Home were quick to jump into action during a tornado that damaged their Barnsdall, OK, long-term care facility Monday night and forced a full evacuation in the aftermath....