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.
CBO: Social Security, Medicare spending could lead to record debt
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 12, 2016
Spending on Social Security and Medicare could contribute to the highest level of debt relative to gross domestic product ever seen in the United States, according to a report released Tuesday by the Congressional...
Beneficiaries often reluctant to change Medicare or drug coverage, report finds
By
John O'Connor
Dec 13, 2019
In theory, beneficiaries in private Medicare Advantage plans and Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans could be switching plans each year. But as a new Kaiser Family Foundation report shows, that...
More objections filed against Illinois CCRC bondholders bankruptcy plan
By
Amy Novotney
Jun 22, 2020
Additional objections have been filed against a Chapter 11 reorganization plan proposed by the majority bondholders for Barlett, IL-based continuing care retirement community Clare Oaks Senior Living.
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...
State staffing policies could hamper MedPAC’s recommendations on federal mandate
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Oct 11, 2022
A federal minimum staffing mandate is on the horizon for nursing homes at the beginning of 2023. Providers and experts wonder just how the proposed mandate might address historic staffing shortages without...
Humana, Signify Health partner to take on social determinants of health in San Antonio
By
Diane Eastabrook
Jun 30, 2021
Humana and Signify Health, a healthcare analytics firm, are teaming up with a network of community partners in San Antonio, TX to address the social aspects of health for nearly 800 patients in that community.
HHS: Medicare overpaid Brookdale $3.3M for improperly billed claims for home health provided to assisted...
By
Lois A. Bowers
Mar 02, 2021
The Medicare program made approximately $3.3 million in overpayments to Brookdale Home Health for claims that were incorrectly billed for home health services provided to assisted living residents and...
What you need to know about the Democratic platform
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 26, 2016
The Democratic National Convention ratified the party platform late Monday in Philadelphia. We’ve highlighted topics in the 55-page document that will be of particular interest to those working in...
CMS finalizes 9% cut to physical and occupational therapy pay for SNF patients
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 03, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services formally announced Tuesday afternoon that it has finalized its calendar 2021 physician pay rule, which cuts physical and occupational therapy payments for nursing...