HCBS bill provides ‘sorely needed’ solutions to care choice, workforce issues
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Mar 10, 2023
A new bill seeking to expand and permanently fund home- and community-based service programs — including those provided in assisted living — is “exactly what’s needed” to begin to solve the...
Coming end of COVID-19 PHE brings concerns about senior living effects
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 14, 2023
The May 11 end of the COVID-19 public health emergency — and the flexibilities it provided — means many potential changes for providers of Medicaid home- and community-based services. And those changes...
CMS proposes ‘universal’ quality measures to ease provider burden, confusion
By
Lois A. Bowers
Feb 06, 2023
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services leaders are proposing the creation of a “universal foundation” of quality measures to reduce the reporting burden and confusion for providers and better align...
ARPA-funded projects aim to collect data on assisted living, help retain workers
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 02, 2023
Efforts to track data on assisted living communities, retain workers and encourage planning for long-term care are among the projects receiving technical assistance from a national nonprofit to launch...
Medicaid HCBS study shows ‘we still know very little’ about COVID in senior living
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jan 17, 2023
A new study reporting higher mortality rates among Medicaid home- and community-based services recipients — including assisted living residents — during the pandemic compared with people not receiving...
Worker shortages, waiting list inaccuracies complicate HCBS programs
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Nov 30, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on fundamental, long-term challenges for state Medicaid home- and community-based services programs, but it also provided opportunities for change, according to a...
CMS throws down ultimatum on HCBS settings final rule compliance
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Nov 29, 2022
The federal government is giving states and providers an ultimatum to make progress on meeting the requirements of the home- and community-based services settings final rule that goes into effect in the...
Business of long-term care ‘has never been worse’ as occupancy, staffing challenges continue
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Oct 12, 2022
NASHVILLE, TN — With the clinical issues of COVID-19 largely behind the long-term care industry, the business side “has never been worse,” according to American Health Care Association / National...
As ‘unprecedented’ crisis continues, workforce issues top 5 priorities for NCAL, executive director...
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Oct 10, 2022
NASHVILLE, TN — As assisted living providers continue to experience an “unprecedented workforce crisis right now,” the issue tops the list of five priorities for the National Center for Assisted...
Raise grant rates for assisted living, wages and benefits for caregivers, board recommends
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Oct 05, 2022
A state government advisory board is recommending that the Virginia General Assembly increase grant awards to cover assisted living costs, mandate sick leave and a living wage for direct care workers,...