$3 trillion HEROES Act passes in House with provisions for senior living, but Senate prospects dim
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 18, 2020
Although it remains to be seen whether the HEROES Act reaches the president’s desk, five provisions of the original or House-passed bill have a chance of becoming law, according to one source. Read other...
As $2 trillion Build Back Better Act heads to Senate, senior living industry seeks more
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 22, 2021
Characterization of the Build Back Better Act, passed 220-213 by the House of Representatives on Friday morning, varies among industry leaders depending on which areas they are focused on. One point on...
Reporting COVID vaccination data to CMS would be ‘burdensome,’ ‘redundant’ for assisted living,...
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 14, 2021
Requiring assisted living providers to report weekly COVID-19 vaccination data to the federal government would add administrative and cost burdens to operators already challenged by the pandemic and even...
CMS seeks input on home- and community-based services
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 08, 2016
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking input on ways to accelerate the provision of home- and community-based services to Medicaid beneficiaries. The request comes as many assisted living...
CMS changes quality measure set for home- and community-based services
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 15, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced changes to the quality measure set for home- and community-based services and described reporting requirements for Money Follows the Person grant...
OIG plans review of Medicaid waivers, employee background checks, more
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 10, 2016
Reviews of Medicare and Medicaid payments, fraud and abuse, and employee background check efforts are some of the items on the agenda for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector...
CMS seeks feedback on quality measures proposed for HCBS
By
Lois A. Bowers
Sep 21, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking feedback on proposed national quality and outcomes measures for the Medicaid-funded home- and community-based services provided for older adults...
Reports make the case for HCBS over institutional care
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 18, 2018
Community-based long-term services and supports have the potential to increase Medicaid beneficiary satisfaction and save costs, and they’re becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to institutional...
Some Medicaid payments for assisted living services could be jeopardized if ACA provision expires
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 16, 2018
Medicaid payments for assisted living services could be in jeopardy in some states if Congress does not renew a provision in the Affordable Care Act that is set to expire on Dec. 31, according to a new...
Proposed HCBS rule could diminish service access, hamper provider retention efforts, 11 senators tell...
By
Lois A. Bowers
Feb 20, 2024
A proposed federal rule that would require providers of home- and community-based services to spend at least 80% of the Medicaid payments they receive for personal care, homemaker and home health aide...