No longer the CMS boss, Verma sounds more like provider friend than foe
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 03, 2023
Dwell on the past too much at your own peril, but providers could be forgiven if Seema Verma had them fondly looking back Wednesday.
Former CMS chief Verma: Regulators ‘over their skis’ with staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 02, 2023
Federal regulators are in over their heads with the proposed first-ever nursing home staffing mandate, the former head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Wednesday.
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...
CMS approves ‘unprecedented’ demo to create Medicaid block grant program
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 12, 2021
Tennessee has been approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to run a demonstration project that will make it the first state to simulate a Medicaid block grant program.
Verma: CMS to ensure free COVID vaccine for seniors, Medicaid beneficiaries
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 16, 2020
The agency has a plan to expedite the new coverage and will provide more information before the end of October, Verma said. CMS is also working on appropriate Medicare fees for administration of potential...
‘Confounded’ providers urge mandated COVID-19 testing for hospital workers, surveyors
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 01, 2020
Healthcare stakeholders who regularly come into contact with skilled nursing residents should be subject to COVID-19 testing mandates similar to those for nursing home employees, a prominent long-term...
CMS giving $165M more in Medicaid funding for home- and community-based care
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 24, 2020
The federal government is providing $165 million in supplemental funding to states for a longstanding Medicaid program designed to transition seniors from nursing homes and other institutions and into...
Nursing homes face threats of citations, penalties if they restrict visitor access without good cause
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 18, 2020
Providers who fail to facilitate in-person visitations “without a reasonable clinical or safety cause” could be cited and face other penalties under new guidance issued Thursday by the Centers for...
BREAKING: Nursing home commission makes 27 recommendations, calls for ‘greater leadership role’...
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 16, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released recommendations from the Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes on Wednesday and, as expected, they contain a laundry list of...
A win for long-term care: Providers applaud withdrawal of MFAR proposal
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 15, 2020
Providers cheered federal health officials’ decision to withdraw a proposal they warned could cut up to $50 billion nationwide from the Medicaid program annually.