PEPPER’s pause doesn’t wipe out prospects for nursing home self-monitoring
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 06, 2024
Federal regulators have suspended a key tool used by some nursing homes for internal auditing, but experts cautioned providers not to let the stoppage hinder their compliance efforts.
Expanded coverage for caregiver training in final physician fee schedule cheered
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 15, 2023
Provider groups and therapists are hailing a new and broader-than-expected opportunity to bill for caregiver training under codes finalized in the 2024 physician fee schedule.
More training, advocacy needed as Medicare denials continue — 10 years after Jimmo case
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 29, 2023
Ten years after a landmark court case determined patients do not need to regain function to maintain access to skilled nursing care and therapy services, advocates warn that elderly patients and those...
‘Pack it up’ or increase debt to survive? One skilled nursing owner’s moment of truth
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 12, 2023
When he bought his own nursing home company back in 2016, Ted LeNeave adopted an upside-down leadership philosophy, one that gave his onsite employees broad say in how to run their facilities and empower...
Therapy opportunities shine while physicians, therapists face 3.3% pay cut in new CMS proposal
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 17, 2023
A proposed 3.3% cut to physician pay would threaten access to care and efforts to bring more clinical oversight into nursing homes, advocacy groups are warning.
Investing in staff inclusion to rebuild: North American’s Michael Moore
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 15, 2023
After being stripped of leases for 24 facilities in partnership with Sabra, North American Health Services is regrouping around a dozen core operations and returning to its quality roots to fuel a potential...
Provider insurance rates finally ‘bending in positive direction’ but not all sunny: report
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 02, 2023
Long-term care providers could begin to see some relief this spring from insurance rates that escalated during the pandemic.
Data lapses did not affect Five-Star ratings, CMS says as providers call for review of agency’s...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 13, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Wednesday it was taking “seriously” a damning report that questioned the accuracy of information it posted on its Care Compare site, but added that...
This nursing home aims to reduce agency dependence by adding housing for local staff
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 09, 2023
A proposed nursing home in a New England resort town will feature a fairly uncommon way to attract staff: 48 units of subsidized housing on a campus shared with dozens of local elders.
Opponents of the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers are pursuing two fresh pathways to defeat it. Both challenges cite the pandemic’s current, less critical stage...