[UPDATED] CMS issues first-ever nursing home staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 01, 2023
US nursing homes would have at least three years to provide a minimum of 0.55 hours of care by a registered nurse and 2.45 hours by a nurse aide per resident day under a first-ever proposed federal staffing...
[Updated] Providers bracing for CMS release of federal nursing home staffing mandate at ‘any time’
By
James M. Berklan
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 31, 2023
Nursing home leaders Wednesday were expecting details of a first-ever federal nursing home staffing mandate to be released at virtually any time.
LTC pharmacy pays $500K to resolve alleged controlled substance violations
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 31, 2023
A company that operates eight long-term care pharmacies with nursing home clients throughout the Northeast and Midwest agreed this week to pay nearly $500,000 to settle allegations it mishandled controlled...
Threat of devastating ‘bad debt’ grows as nursing home billing offices flounder
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 18, 2023
Unheard of staffing shortages in nursing home billing offices are leading to billing lapses and major uncollectible or ‘bad’ debt amounts. A $4 million case in Connecticut is fueling observers’ concerns...
With bankruptcies increasing, lawmakers look to regulate CCRC refund process
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 21, 2023
The bankruptcy filing of Illinois’ largest nonprofit life plan community has brought renewed attention to resident refunds, an issue already being targeted for reform by state lawmakers.
AHCA to White House: Nursing home staffing mandate spells ‘disaster’
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 12, 2023
A federal nursing home staffing mandate would be “impossible to implement” and a “disaster,” especially for seniors on Medicaid, the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted...
Novel 3-D PAINT pen could rewrite wound healing trajectories
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 10, 2023
A new 3-D pen uses a healing ink to deliver immune system fluids directly to cuts and wounds.
More nursing home COVID cases stay in state courts — for now
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 05, 2023
A recent rash of federal court orders made clear the path for COVID-related lawsuits in nine states, but more controversy over PREP Act immunity for protection could be brewing as another court considers...
Lawmakers pushing CMS to ease Medicare Advantage prior authorizations
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 26, 2023
Close to 300 members of Congress are urging federal regulators to do more to reduce burdensome Medicare Advantage requirements that can slow delivery of care to nursing home and other patients.
MA plans pocket billions more by enrolling less-costly patients
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 16, 2023
Medicare Advantage plans may be receiving overpayments of as much as 20%, finds a new study published by a health and aging think tank.