States need to step up with nurse aide waiver clearer, providers say
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 31, 2022
The formal extension of a waiver program that relaxes certification requirements for some nurse aides was widely embraced by providers a day after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced...
Pfizer asks FDA to approve omicron-specific booster shot
Aug 22, 2022
The drug company says that its new mRNA vaccine produces an immune response against the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants.
Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers not ready for primary care use, expert panel decides
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2022
An international group of clinicians and researchers have agreed that Alzheimer’s disease blood biomarkers are a significant breakthrough, but are not yet ready for general clinical and primary care...
Variant-adapted COVID shot approved in U.K.; Novavax requests U.S. booster nod
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2022
Novavax wants its U.S. vaccine authorization to extend to a booster shot, and the U.K. has approved a two-component vaccine that directly tackles the omicron variant.
CDC extends free COVID-19 PCR testing program to assisted living
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Aug 07, 2022
Assisted living communities now have access to free COVID-19 testing through a federal program that previously targeted schools, shelters and correctional facilities.
Ensign Group’s future ‘brighter than ever,’ growth-minded CEO says
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Aug 03, 2022
After picking up 11 new skilled nursing facilities and restoring occupancy at several others in its extensive holdings, the Ensign Group’s future is “brighter than ever,” CEO Barry Port said on a...
BREAKING: CMS finalizes 2.7% pay raise, two year phase-in for PDPM cuts
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 29, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday afternoon announced a finalized cut to nursing home Medicare pay rates for fiscal 2023.
CMS doubles down: Surveyors do not have to be COVID vaccinated
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 07, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has held audiences with skilled nursing providers, made presentations and entertained comments in recent months to assure operators that regulatory actions...
Federal officials keep heat on MA plans over denials, delays
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 30, 2022
Congressional lawmakers are being urged to address weaknesses in Medicare Advantage plans in response to a federal watchdog report that found that the MA organizations have often improperly denied or delayed...
CNA candidates ‘giving up’ as exam openings fail to keep pace with worker demand
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 27, 2022
Thousands of certified nurse aide candidates are struggling to find exam placements across the US, with many of them under a fast-approaching deadline to become certified before a four-month, temporary...