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.
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.
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.
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.
FDA approves another blood test for colon cancer screening
Jul 29, 2024
Currently, colonoscopy is the gold standard test for colon cancer, but adherence to it is low because it is invasive and preparation for the test is daunting.
ADL, functional limitations decline among older adults
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 07, 2023
Older adults saw a “substantial” decline in activities of daily living limitations compared with a decade earlier, according to the results of a new study.
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...
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...
Florida long-term care associations sue state over minimum wage mandate
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Sep 30, 2022
Florida long-term care associations and one provider are challenging a requirement that, starting Oct. 1, providers in the state serving Medicaid beneficiaries — including assisted living communities...