Physician 1.7 percent pay fix fails to account for full cuts to therapists, other SNF providers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 06, 2024
Congressional leaders have agreed to increase physician pay by 1.68% starting next week, but that raise still would not make whole a 3.37% cut initiated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
Nearby ED means more avoidable visits from AL residents, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 12, 2023
The closer the nearest hospital, the higher the number of potentially avoidable emergency department visits among assisted living residents, researchers have found. A nearby ED may limit motivation to...
First-ever drug can treat ‘bad cholesterol’ that statins miss
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 29, 2023
A new drug called muvalaplin successfully lowers a genetic form of cholesterol that’s linked to higher risks of strokes and heart attacks, according to a new study published Monday in JAMA. It’s the...
Provider legal woes mount as push for staffing minimums and accountability builds
By
John Hall
Aug 10, 2022
Two embattled nursing homes were in court this week facing healthcare fraud charges in a case that might illustrate a potentially more fraught legal future for anyone caught trying to get around staffing...
When good things come to long-term care from unexpected sources
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 04, 2022
Some people and things just aren’t going to get along. But on occasion, form breaks.
Iowa reforms tort law, nursing home ownership rules
By
Jessica R. Towhey
May 30, 2023
Operators are praising once-in-a-generation tort reform and new ownership rules designed to attract “good” nursing home operators as key wins in a bountiful legislative session for the skilled nursing...
Visa change is new staffing hope as prospect of immigration reform fades
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 08, 2023
Just weeks ago, long-term care providers were rallying behind the Dignity Act, a bipartisan, wide-ranging piece of immigration reform that would add opportunities for guest workers while also tackling...
Congress advisers back permanent telehealth expansions, look to nix in-person rule for behavioral telehealth...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 12, 2024
Maintaining Medicare beneficiaries’ access to telehealth services, especially for behavioral health, must remain an initial priority over payment reform or quality measurement, members of a congressional...
It’s time for care solutions, not excuses
By
Michael Wasserman
Jan 09, 2023
In February 2019, I wrote about the importance of fully engaging geriatricians and certified medical directors in the operations of nursing homes and chains. A month later, I shared my concern about a...
CMS drops ‘enormous’ MDS changes in surprise move
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 06, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services surprised nursing home operators Friday by quietly posting a draft of updated Minimum Data Set specifications.