[UPDATED] BREAKING: CMS proposes 4.1 percent nursing homes pay boost; staffing minimum not addressed
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 29, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Thursday proposed a 4.1% pay increase for nursing homes in fiscal 2025 but declined to issue an update on its staffing minimum proposal as part of its annual…
Providers poke holes in calls to make ‘dangerous’ state Medicaid suspensions a national model
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 29, 2024
Consumer advocates cheered when the New Jersey State Comptroller recently suspended four nursing homes from Medicaid — calling the enforcement tactic a “model for nursing home enforcement nationwide.”…
Panel calls new tech, data tools the neglected keys to future long-term care success
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 29, 2024
Implementing a wide variety of innovative technology and data tools is vital to the long-term care sector’s future success. A panel of top sector leaders agreed that currently isn’t being done enough…
Also in the News for Friday, March 29, 2024
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 29, 2024
HHS extends temporary Medicaid enrollment period to ease coverage disruption … Service costs for nursing homes, in-home care down: report … Rhode Island latest state to propose ‘granny cam’…
Immigration reform increasingly urgent to addressing LTC workforce crisis: experts
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Josh Henreckson
Mar 28, 2024
As workforce challenges continue to hound long-term care providers, sector experts increasingly point to immigration reform as a vital step on the path toward long-awaited stability.
CMS finalizes rule streamlining Medicaid enrollment and renewals
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 28, 2024
Federal officials on Wednesday issued a new final rule that helps seniors better navigate the Medicaid enrollment process, and that’s likely very good news for long-term care providers.
Providers get another valuable tool to help cope after Change Healthcare cyberattack
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 28, 2024
The federal government has taken another step to support long-term care providers struggling with delayed payments following the recent cyberattack on vital billing clearinghouse Change Healthcare.
Also in the News for Thursday, March 28, 2024
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 28, 2024
Steward seeks to cover debts by selling operations to Optum Care … Another nursing home sued in wrongful death case related to ‘killer nurse’ … Workforce issues force nursing home to close, affecting…
SNF leaders call for collaboration, reforms to fix ‘punitive’ regulatory environment
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 27, 2024
Facing a harsher regulatory environment from the state and federal governments in recent years, top long-term care leaders called for more collaboration and measures that work to improve care quality in…
Understanding facility, peer data called crucial to better Medicare Advantage negotiations
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 27, 2024
Nursing homes have historically had little leverage in negotiations with Medicare Advantage plans, even as MA has come to cover an ever-larger number of skilled nursing beneficiaries.
Nurse assessment coordinators should actively manage physician certification process to avoid penalties:…
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 27, 2024
Nurse assessment coordinators are a vital part of ensuring a compliant physician certification process, even when they aren’t directly involved in the minutiae of that process.
Also in the News for Wednesday, March 27, 2024
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 27, 2024
Eleventh hour spending bill includes $117 billion for HHS … Insulin cost caps didn’t increase access: study … Bill introduces efficiencies in long-term care surveyor site visits
Top SNF leaders see progress but warn of ‘no interest’ in joining workforce
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 26, 2024
The long-term care sector is recovering well from the worst challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, optimistic top leaders said. But some problems that began during the pandemic have only worsened with time,…
Petersen bankruptcy likely to involve selling facilities to multiple buyers: lawyer
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 26, 2024
Long-term care operator Petersen Health Care said it lis likely to sell off blocks of its facilities as part of its efforts to restructure and pay its debts after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last…
‘You can fight it and win,’ attorney assures providers after unanimous victory in brutal venue and…
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 26, 2024
Long-term care operators need to help themselves and their sector by battling plaintiff lawsuits more aggressively, stresses a provider attorney who just recorded a unanimous victory in what he calls an…
Also in the News for Tuesday, March 26, 2024
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 26, 2024
Court denies nursing home software developer $3.5 million refund … Bipartisan bill would accelerate dementia workforce preparedness … Researchers pinpoint genes, changes related to Alzheimer’s disease
AHCA’s Parkinson honors ‘real heroes’ in his own words
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 25, 2024
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News shares Mark Parkinson’s full, unscripted acceptance speech from the 2024 Pinnacle Awards.
Humana seeks dismissal of lawsuit alleging AI use to determine LTC denials
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 25, 2024
Humana has asked a federal court to dismiss a class action lawsuit alleging the Medicare Advantage insurer made coverage determinations using artificial intelligence over medical review.
Long-term care providers took their campaign against $1 billion in proposed Medicaid cuts to new heights Friday, teaming with sympathetic community groups, lawmakers and even unions to protest at seven…
Also in the News for Monday, March 25
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 25, 2024
As 3 Maine nursing homes prepare to close, lawmakers seek $100M in funding … Medicare, Medicaid to cover weight-loss drug Wegovy to reduce risk of cardiovascular incidents … Talk therapy may be better…