Staff COVID-19 vaccinations have risen 25 percentage points under CMS mandate
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
May 18, 2022
COVID-19 vaccination rates among nursing home staff jumped 25 percentage points nationally thanks in no small part to a CMS mandate imposed earlier this year.
Medicare now covers COVID-19 tests bought at drug stores
Apr 05, 2022
Now the 59 million Americans covered by Medicare Part B can get up to eight free, at-home tests each month.
Long-term care financing success requires federal program, coverage across continuum: report
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 08, 2022
A new federal benefit that would include taxpayer subsidies and cover the continuum of long-term care services, including residential care and home- and community-based services, would address some of...
States don’t wait as fate of federal COVID vaccine mandates remains uncertain
By
Lois A. Bowers
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jan 10, 2022
As employers wait to see whether the Supreme Court will issue stays against federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
Supreme Court hears arguments on Biden’s vaccine mandate for big business
Jan 07, 2022
The court also was hearing arguments on separate vaccine mandate for most heathcare workers.
U.S. national healthcare spending increased 9.7 percent in 2020
Dec 17, 2021
The increase was due to 36% increase in federal expenditures, mainly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccination, labor availability ‘critical’ to restoring occupancy, performance: Omega
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 08, 2021
The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has helped stem the spread and adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but senior living operators continue to battle with increasing costs driven by the scarcity...
Federal COVID-19 vaccination, testing mandates have pros, cons, experts say
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Nov 05, 2021
Although generally supportive of federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates for members of its workforce, senior living leaders are concerned about the effects on its workforce.
CMS issues reg requiring COVID-19 vaccination for long-term care workers
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 04, 2021
Long-term care and other healthcare facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs must develop COVID-19 vaccination policies for their workers by Dec. 5, and all eligible workers must...
NPHI implores Congress to extend Medicare sequestration moratorium another year
By
Diane Eastabrook
Sep 28, 2021
The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation is still waiting to hear from congressional leaders about its request to extend the suspension of the 2% Medicare payment cuts through the...