BREAKING: CMS sets new vaccination targets for another 24 states
By
James M. Berklan
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 14, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday that providers in 24 states added to the federal vaccine mandate roster Thursday have until March 15 to become fully vaccinated.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Jan. 14
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 14, 2022
Supreme Court says yea to CMS vaccine mandate, nay to OSHA’s version … Biden to deploy strike medical teams, allocate more rapid tests and N95 masks as omicron rages … CDC: Mask recommendations...
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...
BREAKING: CMS vaccine mandate upheld
By
Kimberly Marselas
James M. Berklan
Jan 13, 2022
A vaccine requirement for staff at all U.S. nursing homes and other federally funded healthcare facilities can proceed, the Supreme Court said in a 5-4 decision Thursday afternoon.
CMS push for staff hours, turnover data a ‘gut punch,’ to struggling nursing homes
By
Amy Novotney
Jan 13, 2022
Industry reaction has been mixed since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announcement last week that it will begin posting nursing home staff turnover rates and weekend staffing levels on the...
Becerra orders CMS to rethink $22 Medicare Part B premium price hike tied to Aduhelm
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
With the 50% price drop of Aduhelm on January 1, there is good reason for CMS to reassess a hefty proposed premium hike for 2022, the U.S. health secretary said. On Wednesday, CMS is expected to announce...
States beef up rules for nursing home visitors while feds hold the line
By
Amy Novotney
Jan 11, 2022
Despite ongoing guidance from federal officials that nursing homes should continue to keep their doors open to visitors, at least two states are now imposing stricter rules as COVID-19 cases surge amid...
CMS will reveal intent to cover Alzheimer’s drug — or not — tomorrow
By
Amy Novotney
Jan 11, 2022
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra on Monday ordered Medicare to reassess a big premium increase facing millions of seniors this year, after an expensive new Alzheimer’s drug...
CMS going public with facility turnover, weekend staffing data
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 10, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services late Friday announced that it will begin posting nursing home staff turnover rates and weekend staffing levels on the consumer-facing Medicare Care Compare...
Supreme Court leans toward making healthcare workers choose: Be vaxxed or axed
By
Kimberly Marselas
James M. Berklan
Jan 10, 2022
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday appeared to show a willingness to back the federal government’s desire to require most healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.