CMS says final hours requirement still undecided on looming staffing rule
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 23, 2023
Federal officials are still trying to determine just how many minutes or hours a day it takes for direct care staff to perform tasks key to nursing home quality, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
Nurses back Senate legislation that would lift restrictions on APRNs’ scope of practice
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 09, 2022
The legislation would eliminate outdated federal barriers to care, authorizing advanced practice nurses to perform tasks such as providing all mandatory examinations in skilled nursing facilities, advocates...
White House to extend PHE designation through April, reports say
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 14, 2022
The federal government will extend the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration until at least April, according to published reports.
New Green House flexibilities expected to attract more skilled nursing operators
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 20, 2022
Green House leaders made a calculated move this week to give skilled nursing operators more reasons to adopt the innovative model.
U.S. extends public health emergency, buying LTC a bit more time
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 17, 2022
The latest renewal is effective as of Oct. 13, and will continue through Jan. 11, 2023. Continued allowances for LTC include the waiver of a required three-day hospital stay to access skilled nursing services...
States get needed nurse aide waiver relief but workers’ fates uncertain
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 07, 2022
Skilled nursing providers in at least 15 states averted the loss of thousands of frontline workers Thursday, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services let expire a blanket national waiver allowing...
Providers, Congress ratchet up pressure on CMS to extend nurse-aide certification waiver
By
Joe Bush
Sep 14, 2022
Members of Congress last week asked Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to support flexibilities to help with the nation’s SNF staffing crisis.
CMS prompts nursing homes to prepare for end of PHE waivers, flexibilities
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 22, 2022
The agency has asked providers to quickly reestablish previous health and safety standards and billing practices, and is directing providers to new resources.
Clinical briefs for Friday, March 11
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 11, 2022
New dementia affects about 3% of adults with COVID-19 pneumonia … Omnibus spending bill contains provisions to extend telehealth waivers … Point-of-care screening for hearing loss leads to greater...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Feb. 15
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 15, 2022
Medicare telehealth waivers could get two-year extension … COVID-19 vaccines are a ‘freaking miracle’: Opinion … Antiviral pills are in stores, yet lack takers … HHS awards $55 million to boost...