CMS issues new guidance on HCBS final rule, but provider concerns remain
By
Lois A. Bowers
Mar 25, 2019
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday issued new guidance meant to clarify where Medicaid beneficiaries can receive home- and community-based services as defined in a 2014 regulation,...
91 groups, individuals praise bipartisan Alzheimer’s-related efforts in Senate
By
Lois A. Bowers
Dec 14, 2020
Twenty-seven organizations and 64 individuals told Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) that they are “particularly encouraged” by the lawmakers’ recommendation that the Center for...
Remember assisted living in Medicaid HCBS settings discussion: ASHA
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jun 15, 2021
As infrastructure reform discussions focus on expansion of Medicaid home- and community-based services programs, senior living experts are reminding policymakers that assisted living should be part of...
Pandemic undermines Medicaid block grant approach: report
By
John O'Connor
Apr 17, 2020
Some policymakers have pushed Medicaid block grants as a way to reform and improve the federal-state program. But an ongoing pandemic reveals how such an approach could be harmful to states and those served,...
Nursing home industry on verge of financial collapse, group claims
By
Amy Novotney
Jun 11, 2020
Even before the industry was dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the average nursing home was operating on a razor-thin profit margin or net loss. That’s because Medicaid reimbursements only cover 70%...
Medicaid block grants will help address ‘looming cost crisis’ due to aging population, CMS says
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jan 31, 2020
The Medicaid block grant program announced Thursday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services won’t directly affect elderly and disabled beneficiaries, CMS Administrative Seema Verma said, but...
CMS extends deadlines for HCBS settings rule due to COVID-19 concerns
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 15, 2020
Citing concerns related to the coronavirus, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday said it would give states an additional year to comply with a settings rule related to the provision...
Past efforts point way to future success of Medicaid LTSS reform: report
By
Lois A. Bowers
Dec 08, 2017
As the population depending on Medicaid long-term services and supports grows, the experiences of several states offer lessons that providers can use to identify opportunities to collaborate with state...
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...
Assisted living, affordable housing residents could be affected by Medicaid block grant plan, advocates...
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jan 30, 2020
The Trump administration is expected to announce Thursday a major change to the Medicaid program that would allow states to convert part of their federal funding into a block grant with a fixed cap.