‘We will not go back’ to early pandemic restriction, CMS leader says
By
Kimberly Marselas
Joe Bush
Oct 17, 2022
Promoting a return to normalcy, a top CMS official said Sunday that nursing homes will not return to the stringent isolation policies of the early pandemic.
Warning on staffing minimum: Studying costs won’t matter if pay doesn’t add up
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 30, 2022
Cost analysis will be “an important part” of a final report on federal minimum staffing standards, the head of a national study assured nursing home stakeholders Monday.
Providers support state’s flexible, incentive-laden staffing mandate but CMS may soon make it moot
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 21, 2023
Nursing home advocates and observers say Virginia’s staffing mandate adequately melds direct care hours with financial incentives for facilities and punitive flexibility by state regulators.
Arbitration battles loom after Supreme Court inaction, tough new guidance
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 05, 2022
The US Supreme Court this week refused to hear arguments that nursing homes should be able to require pre-dispute arbitration agreements, clearing the way for enforcement of stiff new arbitration rules...
CMS call takes listeners back in time for MDS compliance but offers nothing new on staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services invited the nation’s nursing home stakeholders to a conference call Thursday but played its cards close to the vest regarding its pending release of a first-ever...
Aging committee chair delivers another broadside about nursing home surveys
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jul 28, 2023
A powerful US senator is bringing added firepower in his quest to fix what he sees as major issues with state surveys of nursing homes. It’s an effort that had one leading advocate channeling Alanis...
CMS targeting nursing homes with low booster shot rates
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 06, 2023
Big brother is keeping an eye on long-term care operators, and this time in a good way, federal regulators said Thursday on a call with nursing home stakeholders.
CMS: Expect final nursing home staffing rule this year
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 23, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans to finalize its minimum staffing rule for nursing homes during 2024, an official confirmed Tuesday during a national stakeholder call.
CMS finalizes long-awaited prior authorization rule for Medicare Advantage
By
Josh Henreckson
Jan 18, 2024
A new rule on Medicare Advantage prior authorization finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Wednesday suggests good news for providers and Medicare recipients.
CMS says final hours requirement still undecided on looming staffing rule
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 23, 2023
Federal officials are still trying to determine just how many minutes or hours a day it takes for direct care staff to perform tasks key to nursing home quality, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...