Federal officials keep heat on MA plans over denials, delays
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 30, 2022
Congressional lawmakers are being urged to address weaknesses in Medicare Advantage plans in response to a federal watchdog report that found that the MA organizations have often improperly denied or delayed...
Feds formally investigating private equity ownership of nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 14, 2022
The federal government’s focus on private equity ownership in nursing homes is just a “red herring” for lawmakers, one leader said after the launch of a new probe into the matter.
Kansas losing $350,000 for not enforcing healthcare worker vaccine mandate
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 31, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is cutting Kansas’ Medicaid funding by nearly $350,000 for not enforcing the federal healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccine mandate in nursing homes and hospitals.
Providers ‘very encouraged’ after meeting with CMS leader on nursing home reform
By
Danielle Brown
James M. Berklan
Mar 30, 2022
After initial dismay upon hearing the administration’s strategies for sweeping new nursing home reform plans last month, providers were more optimistic after meeting with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
Former CMS leader rips Biden’s nursing home reform plans
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 15, 2022
President Joe Biden’s proposals to reform America’s nursing homes are “short-sighted” and may push providers over the edge during the ongoing workforce crisis, the former leader of the Centers...
PRF reporting requirements would be extended under current proposal
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 14, 2022
Skilled nursing facilities that have received payments through the Provider Relief Fund would have until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic to report how they used the emergency aid under a new proposal.
CMS unleashes new tool for improving facility air quality
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 04, 2022
Funding is available for long-term care providers looking to make air quality upgrades to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Governors ask for limited waivers on vaccine mandate
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 02, 2022
A pair of Republican governors have asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for temporary relief from the healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccine mandate for rural providers and state-run facilities.
First vaccine deadline arrives for healthcare workers in half the nation
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 28, 2022
Surveyors can now evaluate long-term care providers’ compliance with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate covering healthcare workers in half of the United States. Many long-term care providers are ready...
COVID vaccine mandate for 25 states newly challenged in federal court
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 05, 2022
The COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers in 25 states currently without an injunction against it is being challenged again in a federal appeals court.