Patient advocates decry CMS decision on Alzheimer’s drug coverage
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 24, 2023
The Alzheimer’s Association and others have strongly criticized a decision by CMS to stand by its highly restrictive coverage for new dementia drugs.
Senators push CMS to issue — and fund — federal nursing home staffing mandate soon
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 13, 2023
A group of Senators is urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to proceed as quickly as possible with setting a minimum staffing mandate for nursing homes.
A major step forward or lacking teeth? COVID-19 report prompts range of emotions
By
Liza Berger
Sep 18, 2020
The much-anticipated report outlining COVID-19 problems in nursing homes and offering corresponding recommendations elicited a range of opinions from stakeholders Thursday.
Provider advocates slam ‘unfair’ media take down of nursing home staffing compliance
By
Joe Bush
Dec 02, 2022
A major provider organization Thursday called out a newspaper’s national investigation into nursing home staffing as “unfair and mischaracterized.”
Cost, interpretation of new enhanced barrier precautions worry providers as rule kicks in
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 03, 2024
A new set of regulations requiring the use of enhanced barrier precautions for many nursing home patients has left providers scrambling to understand the rationale behind some standards and grappling with...
CMS clarifies: New flu vaccination reporting rule applies broadly
By
Joe Bush
Oct 07, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Thursday cleared up what officials called confusion about the types of skilled nursing facilities now required to report annual healthcare personnel influenza...
CMS adds enhanced barrier precautions to infection control guidance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 22, 2024
Nursing homes must begin to use enhanced barrier precautions to prevent broader transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms and to help protect patients with chronic wounds and indwelling devices, the...
CMS ‘demonizing’ private equity with rule that could scare away skilled nursing investors
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Apr 17, 2023
A proposed rule to make nursing home ownership more transparent could instead scare off private equity investments, leaving facilities without much-needed capital, experts warn as federal regulators enter...
CMS on holidays: No get-togethers, full guidance may be forthcoming
By
Liza Berger
Nov 06, 2020
Lest you think Thanksgiving will be a time to soften some COVID-19 restrictions for residents, think again.
BREAKING: CMS vaccine mandate upheld
By
Kimberly Marselas
James M. Berklan
Jan 13, 2022
A vaccine requirement for staff at all U.S. nursing homes and other federally funded healthcare facilities can proceed, the Supreme Court said in a 5-4 decision Thursday afternoon.