Feds’ financial incentives left nursing homes vulnerable to outbreaks: analysis
By
Amy Novotney
Dec 01, 2020
The nursing home business has long relied on federal support, mostly though the Medicare and Medicaid systems, but an analysis published Friday in the Washington Post explores how this reliance left many...
MedPAC to Congress: Reduce payments to home health in 2022, expand telehealth beyond public health emergency
By
Diane Eastabrook
Mar 17, 2021
In a report to Congress this week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) offered several key recommendations, including reducing payments for home healthcare agencies in 2022 and extending...
Home care providers rally around CDC booster shot decision; CMS to pay for third shot
By
Liza Berger
Sep 27, 2021
Home care providers were pleased after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday signed off on a third Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot for people 65 and older and people at increased risk for...
Industry welcomes latest COVID relief funding distributions but wants more
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Dec 15, 2021
Although senior living advocates welcomed Tuesday’s announcement about the upcoming distribution of $9 billion in Phase 4 Provider Relief Funds, they said they also want more.
$261 million disbursed to assisted living providers via Provider Relief Fund in Phase 3
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jan 29, 2021
A total of $261 million in Phase 3 general distributions had been disbursed to assisted living providers from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Provider Relief Fund as of Dec....
Ensign Group announces increased revenues; plans to return $23M in relief funds
By
Amy Novotney
Oct 30, 2020
San Juan Capistrano, CA-based Ensign Group announced an adjusted net income of $43.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, a 94.5% year-over-year gain, according to the firm’s earnings release Wednesday....
HHS to issue reporting requirements for provider relief funds
By
Amy Novotney
Jul 27, 2020
Last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a notice acknowledging that more detailed Provider Relief Fund reporting guidance and materials will be released on Aug. 17. In the short,...
Nursing home advocates ask CMS to amend visitation guidelines as COVID-19 spikes
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Dec 22, 2021
With the rapid spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus and a spike in COVID-19 infections overall nationwide, nursing home advocates are asking the federal government to allow providers more discretion...
More COVID-19 testing needed for assisted living and skilled nursing, groups say as CMS issues guidance...
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 19, 2020
Two associations representing long-term care providers on Monday called for more funding for COVID-19 testing for assisted living communities as well as skilled nursing facilities after the Centers for...
Lawmakers should force private equity firms out of nursing homes, advises one think tank
By
James M. Berklan
May 04, 2021
A “worrisome trend” of private equity investment in nursing homes should be scrutinized and halted altogether within five years, asserts a left-leaning think tank in an issue brief released Friday.