CMS: Providers must still give ombudsman access to residents
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 13, 2020
The ongoing public health emergency shouldn’t stop providers from giving ombudsman access to nursing home residents, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CMS ‘icon’ controversy merits ‘Grand’ attention
By
Liza Berger
Jul 09, 2020
The provider community protested loudly when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rushed into place an open-handed “stop” icon to merely “warn” readers on the consumer-facing Nursing Home...
Senators want the inside story on potential permanent telehealth changes
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 08, 2020
A bipartisan group of senators is seeking information from top federal health officials on permanent changes to Medicare telehealth rules that are currently being considered.
CMS updates guidance on three-day stay waiver
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 30, 2020
Providers must demonstrate that a beneficiary’s skilled nursing care in a facility is “in some way” related to the coronavirus public health crisis in order to qualify for the three-day inpatient...
Providers cautioned against submitting too much staffing data, despite new federal demands
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 26, 2020
Federal regulators announced Thursday that nursing home operators must resume regular submission of staffing-level information this summer. But one industry expert warned not to overdo it.
BREAKING NEWS: CMS orders resumption of nursing home staffing data collection, updates star-rating plans
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 25, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced plans today to end the emergency waiver and resume requirements for all nursing homes to submit staffing data through the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ)...
CMS issues ‘long overdue’ visitation guidelines for nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 25, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services excited the provider community and brought clarity to numerous aspects of restarting visits at nursing homes Wednesday.
‘Urgent’ need for value-based Medicare system after COVID-19 data reveals huge racial disparities
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 24, 2020
A transition to a value-based Medicare system is now “urgent” for the Trump administration after new COVID-19 data revealed significant racial disparities among Black and Hispanic patients.
MA plans ordered to cover COVID-19 lab tests
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 23, 2020
Coronavirus lab tests for nursing home residents must be covered by Medicare Administrative Contractors and Medicare Advantage plans, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday.
Lawmakers question why nursing homes haven’t received more pandemic aid
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 22, 2020
Two U.S. lawmakers want answers from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the funding distribution for nursing homes during the coronavirus public health crisis.