CMS completes minimum staffing study; targeting ‘onerous’ MA authorizations
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 25, 2023
Two proposed rules should help patients improve their Medicare Advantage plan selections while standardizing expectations for skilled nursing and other healthcare providers, federal officials reiterated...
Risk-bearing execs: Operators need to ‘make some noise’ to make some money
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 10, 2021
Skilled nursing providers looking to take on risk for long-term viability need to start getting creative, warn two executives in the business of connecting payers and providers in value-based partnerships.
Rule aimed at reducing red tape to come later, or maybe not all
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 20, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has officially delayed action on a three-year-old proposal to reduce some duplicative and “unnecessary” requirements for nursing homes another year, with...
New CMS data platform raises concerns about access, worker privacy
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 20, 2022
A technology change is raising concerns about data access and worker privacy as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services transitions to a new, more secure data-reporting process.
CMS vows to move forward with staffing proposal ‘soon’ despite ‘inconclusive’ research
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 30, 2023
Federal officials vowed Tuesday night to issue a nursing home staffing requirement “soon,” despite the premature publication of a federal study that appears to support skilled providers’ objections...
LTCH closures send more patients to nursing homes, but are they ready?
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 22, 2023
Shifting payment policies have decreased Medicare spending on patients requiring mechanical ventilation, but they also have led to the closure of many long-term care hospitals and have driven more patients...
‘Death spiral’ for SNFs as Medicare Advantage pay decreases
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 06, 2022
Pressure to accept low-ball contracts with Medicare Advantage plans that continue to reduce reimbursement is driving some skilled nursing providers into “a death spiral,” a major aging services association...
Latest federal mandate denial sets stage for possible Supreme Court appeal
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 15, 2021
The battle over a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers is primed for its Supreme Court debut, now that a federal appeals court has ruled a temporary injunction should remain in place.
CMS begins publicizing disputed nursing home deficiencies
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 26, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday started showing whether facilities were formally disputing cited deficiencies.
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.