CMS doubles down: Surveyors do not have to be COVID vaccinated
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 07, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has held audiences with skilled nursing providers, made presentations and entertained comments in recent months to assure operators that regulatory actions...
Lawmakers pressure CMS to phase in nursing home pay cuts
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 06, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is facing increased pressure to phase in proposed pay cuts for skilled nursing facilities from federal lawmakers.
Part-time option means more juggling for infection control staff
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 04, 2022
While nursing homes have had six years to prepare for new infection preventionist guidance, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revealed last week they will not necessarily need to appoint someone...
CMS: Phase 3 final guidance imminent, ‘a lot coming’
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 29, 2022
NEW ORLEANS — Nursing home operators can expect long-awaited final guidance on Phase 3 Requirements of Participation “very, very soon,” the federal government’s top skilled nursing official said...
Providers fear more flu vaccine reporting burdens
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 21, 2022
Providers worry they might not have enough time to fully comply with a mandatory flu vaccination reporting measure for workers if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services moves forward as proposed.
CMS no longer requiring surveyors to be fully vaccinated in order to inspect facilities
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 17, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has rescinded guidance that says surveyors who are not fully vaccinated shouldn’t participate on the onsite survey team when inspecting certified providers.
CMS withholds another $1-plus million over vaccine mandate compliance
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 14, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has withheld $1.2 million in funding from Florida over the state’s refusal to monitor facilities ability to meet the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement...
Providers demand federal action as temporary nurse aide waiver comes to an end
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 06, 2022
The federal government must take permanent action to address the long-term care workforce shortage as providers brace themselves for severe consequences following the end of the temporary nurse aide waiver...
Feds’ spotlight on owners could detract from patient focus, experts warn
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 21, 2022
An effort to improve transparency into nursing home ownership took a major leap forward when federal officials posted previously non-public data Wednesday. But providers and legal experts cautioned that...
CMS ‘heartless’ for its big nursing home pay cut proposal
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 12, 2022
Providers are struggling with the federal government’s “heartless” decision to decrease pay for SNFs by $320 million in fiscal 2023.