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.
CMS should be careful in what it asks for
By
Brendan Williams
Dec 23, 2022
Those in the nursing home sector are worried a potential staffing mandate imposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could be the ruination of a reeling sector. However, there is an argument...
Congressional deal meets docs halfway on pay, extends telehealth flexibility
By
Joe Bush
Dec 21, 2022
Potential pay cut relief that addresses some physician and therapist concerns is tucked into a 4,000-page proposed 2023 spending bill announced Monday by members of Congress.
As new year approaches, operational and regulatory changes pile up
By
Joe Bush
Dec 21, 2022
A series of significant regulatory changes are expected to hit skilled nursing over the course of 2023, but experts are also warning providers not to lose sight of some smaller but still important changes...
Focus on part-time assignments to improve SNF care consistency, researchers advise
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 21, 2022
Nursing homes that prioritize building schedules around part-time workers can significantly improve consistency of care by potentially reducing how many nursing assistants care for each resident.
Ending the year with some long-term care gifts and resolutions
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 20, 2022
When many are exchanging gifts and making New Year’s resolutions, I’ve come up with my wish list for key long-term care players and stakeholders.
Also in the News for Friday, Dec. 16
By
Joe Bush
Dec 16, 2022
White House COVID winter surge plan reminds governors of nursing home needs … Slimmed down relief bill sends funding to state’s senior care providers …
CMS responds to data breach at subcontractor...
Brooks-LaSure: Medicare poised to re-evaluate coverage of new Alzheimer’s drugs
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 12, 2022
In a Milken Institute summit session, the CMS administrator said that Medicare’s door is open to evaluating new data on emerging Alzheimer’s drug candidates.
Providers worried about CMS pace on new MDS materials
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 09, 2022
Skilled nursing operators were happily surprised in September with an early draft of MDS revisions, but ever since it’s been a slog getting more information.
LTC providers fear ‘administrative mess’ if Congress pushes spending bill to 2023
By
Joe Bush
Dec 08, 2022
Year-end spending-bill negotiations in Congress are far from reaching their peak, but it’s already apparent how easily they can set off outsized reactions among skilled nursing stakeholders.