Providers both relieved and angry after CMS changes course on pay rates, extends phase-in period
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 01, 2022
Although many skilled nursing providers let out a sigh of relief after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a 2.7% net pay increase for SNFs in 2023 on Friday, others were still expressing...
Caregivers’ telehealth flexibilities closer to staying after key House vote
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 29, 2022
The House passed the measure, titled the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act, by a vote of 416-12 Wednesday to send it over to the Senate.
More flexibility key to nursing homes staying competitive for RNs
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 26, 2022
A top wage expert urged skilled nursing providers to be more flexible with shift hours and reward loyalty to their registered nurses in order to stay competitive against other healthcare sectors after...
Nursing home COVID-19 deaths, cases spiking, hit ‘pre-vaccine’ levels
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 25, 2022
COVID-19 deaths among nursing home staff members are again surging throughout facilities, hitting their highest level since January of this year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control...
Act now to ease pandemic’s moral, emotional challenges for workers: researchers
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 22, 2022
Long-term care and other providers must consider implementing interventions for healthcare workers, say researchers who found the COVID-19 pandemic caused employees significant moral and emotional challenges.
Mandated minimum staffing would cost nursing homes $10 billion annually
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 20, 2022
Providers would have to spend an additional $10 billion more per year and hire more than 187,000 new workers to meet requirements of one possible federal minimum staffing approach, according to a new analysis.
CMS still determining what COVID waivers to keep, drop after PHE ends
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 20, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is in the process of deciding what COVID-19 regulatory waivers will remain permanent or be retired following the end of the public health emergency.
Initial COVID-19 lockdown had no ‘clinically relevant negative effects’ on residents’ mood, behavior,...
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 19, 2022
Nursing homes’ initial lockdown during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic did not result in “clinically relevant negative effects” on residents’ mood, behavior, social and cognitive functions,...
‘Perfect storm’ of pandemic challenges forces another facility closure
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 07, 2022
A Colorado nursing home will close its doors at the end of this month due to a “perfect storm” of pandemic-related financial challenges for the provider.
Lawmakers pressure CMS to phase in nursing home pay cuts
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 06, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is facing increased pressure to phase in proposed pay cuts for skilled nursing facilities from federal lawmakers.