Feds ramp up COVID-19 testing efforts at nursing homes with release of 750k more POC supplies
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 09, 2020
Nursing homes in areas with the high COVID-19 positivity rates will be receiving another point-of-care testing option from the federal government starting next week.
A win for long-term care: Providers applaud withdrawal of MFAR proposal
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 15, 2020
Providers cheered federal health officials’ decision to withdraw a proposal they warned could cut up to $50 billion nationwide from the Medicaid program annually.
CMS proposes 1.3% pay increase — with plenty of strings attached
By
Kimberly Marselas
Danielle Brown
Apr 09, 2021
A proposal that would boost Medicare payments to skilled nursing providers by 1.3% next fiscal year also could trigger additional reporting requirements and increase the potential for penalties.
First vaccine deadline arrives for healthcare workers in half the nation
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 28, 2022
Surveyors can now evaluate long-term care providers’ compliance with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate covering healthcare workers in half of the United States. Many long-term care providers are ready...
8.5% payment boost to Medicare Advantage plans ‘clear signal of support’ from CMS: expert
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 06, 2022
The 8.5% boost in average revenue slated for Medicare Advantage plans in 2023 is proof of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services support of the program and could mean improved payment for post-acute...
Already public COVID vaccination data could get high-profile makeover as pressure mounts
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 16, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is facing pressure to publicize nursing home COVID-19 vaccination data in a more consumer-friendly manner.
BREAKING: CMS increases oversight of nursing home survey process and expands nursing home visitation...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Danielle Brown
Nov 12, 2021
Nursing homes should allow visitation for residents “at all times,” while state surveyors received steps on how to address a backlog of complaint and recertification surveys under two separate memos...
CMS: Visitation restrictions must remain; prepare for return of less-collaborative surveys
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 12, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is not ready to update nursing home visitation guidance, despite a significant drop in COVID-19 cases following widespread resident vaccinations, a top official...
BREAKING: Feds: Nursing homes must test staff, offer residents COVID-19 testing under new rules
By
James M. Berklan
Danielle Brown
Aug 25, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced sweeping regulatory changes Tuesday afternoon for nursing homes and other providers dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.
6 new quality measures for SNFs now showing on Nursing Home Compare
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 29, 2020
New performance data on skilled nursing providers, which features six additional measures, is now on the Nursing Home Compare website, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Wednesday. ...