Free COVID tests now available to all aging services providers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 09, 2023
Nursing homes and other aging services providers across the US can now access free COVID-19 test kits through an expanded partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and LeadingAge.
CMS developing direct-pay model to test on seniors, others
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 25, 2018
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced it is exploring a direct-provider contracting model. It is the first payment reform initiative to result from the agency innovation center’s...
Latest federal mandate denial sets stage for possible Supreme Court appeal
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 15, 2021
The battle over a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers is primed for its Supreme Court debut, now that a federal appeals court has ruled a temporary injunction should remain in place.
What long-term care operators are doing to comply with federal vaccination rule by first deadline
By
Danielle Brown
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 11, 2021
It’s all hands on deck as long-term care operators quickly develop implementation plans to comply with the new federal COVID-19 vaccination rule for workers with the first deadline just over three weeks...
States get needed nurse aide waiver relief but workers’ fates uncertain
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 07, 2022
Skilled nursing providers in at least 15 states averted the loss of thousands of frontline workers Thursday, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services let expire a blanket national waiver allowing...
Claims audit will affect every nursing home starting June 5
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 30, 2023
Every skilled nursing facility in the US will be subject to a five-claim audit starting the week of June 5 as regulators try to better assess and root out improper payments.
CMS completes minimum staffing study; targeting ‘onerous’ MA authorizations
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 25, 2023
Two proposed rules should help patients improve their Medicare Advantage plan selections while standardizing expectations for skilled nursing and other healthcare providers, federal officials reiterated...
Lawmakers pushing CMS to ease Medicare Advantage prior authorizations
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 26, 2023
Close to 300 members of Congress are urging federal regulators to do more to reduce burdensome Medicare Advantage requirements that can slow delivery of care to nursing home and other patients.
CMS provides first look at shorter, Risk-Based Survey process
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 04, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday revealed initial information about a potential “Risk-Based Survey” option that could be available to some of the nation’s best performing...
Report: CMS hospital star ratings wrong for two years
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 18, 2018
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has miscalculated hospital star ratings for two years, according to a startling report published by Modern Healthcare Friday.