Expanded coverage for caregiver training in final physician fee schedule cheered
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 15, 2023
Provider groups and therapists are hailing a new and broader-than-expected opportunity to bill for caregiver training under codes finalized in the 2024 physician fee schedule.
More training, advocacy needed as Medicare denials continue — 10 years after Jimmo case
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 29, 2023
Ten years after a landmark court case determined patients do not need to regain function to maintain access to skilled nursing care and therapy services, advocates warn that elderly patients and those...
‘Pack it up’ or increase debt to survive? One skilled nursing owner’s moment of truth
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 12, 2023
When he bought his own nursing home company back in 2016, Ted LeNeave adopted an upside-down leadership philosophy, one that gave his onsite employees broad say in how to run their facilities and empower...
Therapy opportunities shine while physicians, therapists face 3.3% pay cut in new CMS proposal
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 17, 2023
A proposed 3.3% cut to physician pay would threaten access to care and efforts to bring more clinical oversight into nursing homes, advocacy groups are warning.
Data lapses did not affect Five-Star ratings, CMS says as providers call for review of agency’s...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 13, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Wednesday it was taking “seriously” a damning report that questioned the accuracy of information it posted on its Care Compare site, but added that...
This nursing home aims to reduce agency dependence by adding housing for local staff
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 09, 2023
A proposed nursing home in a New England resort town will feature a fairly uncommon way to attract staff: 48 units of subsidized housing on a campus shared with dozens of local elders.
The summer of our nursing homes’ discontent
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 01, 2022
Memorial Day weekend usually ushers in a feeling of lightness, but I’m weighed down by uncertainty this year. Will it be a summer of discontent?
With REIT ownership of SNFs at 12%, experts question compatibility of business and healthcare goals
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 17, 2022
Last year, real estate investment trusts owned an estimated 12% of all skilled nursing facilities, a level that Harvard researchers say should push policymakers to “ensure that the REIT business model...
Question, blame, repeat: The all-too predictable COVID cycle
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 08, 2022
Will there be six more weeks of hand-wringing when it comes to placing political blame for early COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes? It’s all part of the COVID cycle.
Inflation could stunt hot M&A market in 2022
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 13, 2022
With occupancy and financial pressures mounting, nearly a third of long-term care executives are considering selling skilled assets in 2022 — making it likely this year will be another very busy deal-making...