House report attacks, nursing homes fight back over allegations of deficient staffing, care and safe...
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 22, 2022
Congressional investigators pinned for-profit skilled nursing operators into a corner Wednesday, releasing a scathing report describing “dire” conditions caused by alleged lack of preparation and mismanagement...
CMS finalizes ‘shocking’ 9% therapy cuts, while affirming vast expansion of telehealth pay provisions
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 01, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services formally announced Tuesday afternoon that it has finalized its calendar 2021 physician pay rule, which cuts physical and occupational therapy payments to nursing...
Tuesday CMS Open Door Forum will discuss minimum staffing rule
By
James M. Berklan
May 03, 2024
The next CMS Long-Term Services and Supports Open Door Forum will take place at 2 p.m. ET with an updated agenda that includes a new nursing home staffing rule update.
Feds’ proposal to extend COVID-19 waivers would keep some telehealth expansions but could deliver rehab...
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 04, 2020
As expected and hoped for by many healthcare providers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday proposed permanently adopting some telehealth and therapy coverage expansions during the COVID-19...
Parkinson, former CMS chief agree: ‘Nightmare’ COVID-19 a chance for providers to learn, improve
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 07, 2020
COVID-19 has been a “clinical nightmare and a business disaster” but also can be an outstanding learning opportunity, leaders said Tuesday.
CMS releases more new MDS draft details; more changes to come?
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 04, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services kept a pre-New Year’s resolution by releasing a second draft of the new MDS tool that will be used to assess new residents starting Oct. 1, 2023.
Supreme Court leaves providers to grapple with vaccine mandate, takes other employers off the hook
By
Kimberly Marselas
James M. Berklan
Jan 13, 2022
Nursing home operators were already bracing late Thursday for the fallout of a nationwide staff vaccine mandate, just hours after the Supreme Court ruled a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule...
Consumer group counterpunches as nursing homes worry about staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 03, 2023
A notable consumer group has released a report accusing government overseers of not adequately tracking billions of dollars given to providers for related party transactions.
Most nursing home visits banned as part of federal COVID-19 strategy
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 15, 2020
Exceptions include healthcare workers, surveyors and those in compassionate care situations.
CMS leader mum on staffing mandate, delivers ‘back to basics’ message
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 08, 2023
A CMS leader steered clear of staffing mandate talk but highlighted a nursing home workforce campaign, renewed survey priorities, discharge processes and much more Tuesday.