CMS-proposed HCBS rules elicit request for extension of comment period from 5 associations
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 22, 2023
The executive directors of five national organizations are asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to extend by at least 30 days the comment periods for two proposed rules related to access...
Providers need funding to improve Medicaid HCBS access, quality, advocates say
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 01, 2023
Senior living advocates are applauding steps announced by the federal government to ensure equitable access to home- and community-based services provided via the Medicaid program, but they say that funding...
Updated: CMS proposes mandatory quality measures, other changes to HCBS program
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 27, 2023
Some quality measures for home- and community-based services would become mandatory under a proposed rule announced Thursday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Several other changes related...
Federal efforts to strengthen care economy fall short for senior living, advocates say
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Apr 19, 2023
President Biden’s executive order on strengthening the care economy, although well-intentioned, does not offer adequate solutions for long-term care in part because it does not support assisted living...
11 states ready to go live with Medicaid HCBS final rule as deadline approaches, CMS says
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 22, 2023
Eleven states are planning to go live under the regulations of the home- and community-based settings final rule on March 18, according to Melissa Harris, deputy director for the CMS Disabled and Elderly...
Medicaid HCBS study shows ‘we still know very little’ about COVID in senior living
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jan 17, 2023
A new study reporting higher mortality rates among Medicaid home- and community-based services recipients — including assisted living residents — during the pandemic compared with people not receiving...
As ‘unprecedented’ crisis continues, workforce issues top 5 priorities for NCAL, executive director...
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Oct 10, 2022
NASHVILLE, TN — As assisted living providers continue to experience an “unprecedented workforce crisis right now,” the issue tops the list of five priorities for the National Center for Assisted...
Last of Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund payments coming to a bank account near you
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jul 28, 2022
One last round of Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund payments could be coming as soon as next week, signaling a completion of all payment determinations, according to Argentum.
Provider groups decry ‘chronic underfunding’ as CMS introduces HCBS quality measures
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 22, 2022
The federal government’s introduction Thursday of quality measures for the home- and community-based services offered by assisted living and other providers comes in the midst of “longstanding, chronic...
Workforce advisory council offers direct care workers voice in recruitment, retention efforts
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 15, 2022
A first-of-its-kind advisory council is giving Maine’s assisted living community, nursing home and home health employees a voice in policy decisions affecting them.