CMS issues reg requiring COVID-19 vaccination for long-term care workers
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 04, 2021
Long-term care and other healthcare facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs must develop COVID-19 vaccination policies for their workers by Dec. 5, and all eligible workers must...
CMS seeks input on home- and community-based services
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 08, 2016
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking input on ways to accelerate the provision of home- and community-based services to Medicaid beneficiaries. The request comes as many assisted living...
New GAO report focuses on CMS but could have direct effects on assisted living
By
Lois A. Bowers
Feb 06, 2018
A report released Monday by the Government Accountability Office contains a to-do list for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services related to state reporting of deficiencies in care and services provided...
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...
Proposed HCBS rule could diminish service access, hamper provider retention efforts, 11 senators tell...
By
Lois A. Bowers
Feb 20, 2024
A proposed federal rule that would require providers of home- and community-based services to spend at least 80% of the Medicaid payments they receive for personal care, homemaker and home health aide...
CMS gives states 3 more years to comply with HCBS final rule
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 09, 2017
States will have until 2022 to comply with a final rule regarding the provision of home- and community-based services to Medicaid beneficiaries, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Tuesday.
‘A lot on the line in November,’ NCAL executive director says
By
Lois A. Bowers
Oct 08, 2018
The outcome of the midterm elections Nov. 6 will determine whether assisted living operators will have another fight for Medicaid on their hands, National Center for Assisted Living Executive Director...
House tax bill foes decry potential effects on seniors’ medical costs, housing
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 10, 2017
Advocates for senior living and affordable housing have expressed opposition to H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, proposed by Republicans in the House of Representatives, because it eliminates the medical...
Providers condemn ‘shortsighted’ Medicaid cuts in revised Senate healthcare bill
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jul 13, 2017
“Shortsighted,” “draconian” and “drastic” are some of the words provider group leaders are using to describe the continued Medicaid cuts in the revised Better Care Reconciliation...
Updated: CMS proposes mandatory quality measures, other changes to HCBS program
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 27, 2023
Some quality measures for home- and community-based services would become mandatory under a proposed rule announced Thursday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Several other changes related...