Amid another record quarter, Ensign teases Tennessee growth
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 26, 2024
Ensign Group expects to announce new acquisitions within days, following another record quarter in which it picked up 10 new operations including more than 1,300 skilled nursing beds.
Bill seeks new structure, staff and standards for national LTC ombudsman program
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 23, 2024
Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have introduced a bill to strengthen and expand long-term care ombudsman programs, calling for a new national director and a study to better understand the number...
Nursing home reform could move to the ‘side burner’ with Harris focused on reproductive rights
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 22, 2024
When the Biden administration dropped the final version of its nursing home staffing mandate in April, it was Vice President Kamala Harris who suddenly became the face of the initiative.
LTC pharmacies demand ‘sustainable’ payment model ahead of 2026 drug-pricing changes
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 24, 2024
Many of the nation’s long-term care pharmacies are going to fall below “break-even” and may be forced out of business without additional support when drug-pricing policy changes kick in, sector advocates...
Providers looking for more Medicaid ‘pie’ might be surprised by state conversions to case-mix system
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 23, 2024
Skilled nursing providers looking to capture the best available pay rates must act quickly as more states finalize their transitions to case-mix adjusted payment systems, experts with Zimmet Healthcare...
Frustration, fury: Lawmakers renew push as new report skewers drug middlemen on pricing
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 10, 2024
An interim report issued by federal officials this week excoriated pharmacy sales middlemen over business practices that have grossly inflated drug prices — and made it harder for long-term care pharmacists...
Specialist visits to nursing homes could increase under doc pay rule proposal
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 12, 2024
A proposal tucked into the physician fee schedule issued last week includes a new payment mechanism that could improve follow-up care in nursing homes for post-surgical patients, including those with hip...
After ‘offensive’ attack, Parkinson and Sloan push lawmakers for solutions, not shame
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 09, 2024
The two largest organizations representing US nursing homes this week fired back against a pair of influential lawmakers who have tried to paint industry efforts to stop a minimum staffing rule as motivated...
Docs, therapists to see pay cut but caregivers score in ’25 physician pay rule
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 10, 2024
Doctors, therapists and others billing under the physician fee schedule would see an average 2.93% reduction in Medicare pay next year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed Wednesday.
Pushing the boundaries of care and geography: Sun Mar’s changing regional reputation
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 05, 2024
Three years after joining Sun Mar Healthcare, President Josh Kochek is leaning on years of perspective from the other side of the dealmaking table to expand and transform the California brand.