HHS takes steps to address recent cyberattack; LTC still reeling from aftermath
By
Aaron Dorman
Mar 07, 2024
HHS is granting some flexibilities for Medicare providers in the wake of the Change Healthcare cyberattack last month.
Nursing home occupancy reaches 2023 high of 81.2 percent
By
Lois A. Bowers
Sep 01, 2023
SNF occupancy in June was 81.2%, the highest it has been all year, according to the latest Skilled Nursing Monthly Report.
COVID-19 meds like Paxlovid will soon have big price tags
Oct 30, 2023
The pills still will be available at no cost until those bought earlier by the federal government run out.
Behavioral health-memory care model serves increasing needs in senior living
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Aug 16, 2023
Cascade Senior Living Servicesgot creative by pursuing uncommon contracts and specialty partnerships to serve people living with significant mental health or dementia diagnoses.
LeadingAge, AHCA, among organizations at White House to discuss Change Healthcare cyber-emergency
By
Aaron Dorman
Mar 14, 2024
The White House convened a meeting Tuesday with top long-term care and healthcare organizations, including AHCA and LeadingAge, about the Change Healthcare issue.
Physician groups ‘concerned’ about bill to expand nonphysicians’ scope of practice in SNFs
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Nov 15, 2022
Seventy-six medical associations have expressed their opposition to pending legislation that would expand nonphysician practitioners’ scope of practice, including in nursing homes.
Workforce, financial relief focus in ‘tumultuous period’ after midterms: Argentum
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Nov 18, 2022
The midterms ended in razor-thin results, and an upcoming “tumultuous period” with a divided Congress, but Argentum’s advocacy push remains on workforce improvements and financial relief for the...
Meet Kurt Merkelz, MD, 2024 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards ‘Setting the Standard’ honoree
By
Jessica R. Towhey
May 09, 2024
Kurt Merkelz, MD, led the recent standardization of best practices throughout Compassus through the development of tools and procedures built into the organization’s interoperability platform. This effort...
Healthcare cost growth rate down year over year, except for skilled nursing
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
May 23, 2024
Healthcare cost rates grew by 2.8% year over year in April, down from the growth rate of 3.1% seen the previous month.
57 percent of state’s SNFs report empty beds due to lack of staff
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Mar 02, 2023
Fifty-seven percent of skilled nursing providers in Pennsylvania have empty beds, not because of lack of demand but because they don’t have enough staff members to care for residents and patients. That’s...