CMS Increases Scrutiny on Nursing Home Ownership by Seeking Mandatory Medicare Revalidation

Nursing homes must prepare for an off-cycle revalidation process being mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), or risk losing billing privileges. With the extra paperwork, CMS aims to enhance the accuracy and transparency of Medicare enrollment information amid new reporting requirements finalized in 2023. The revalidation notices will be dispatched by […]

Former Nursing Home Giant Athena Health Sells More Assets

Athena Health Care Systems, once the largest owner of nursing homes in Connecticut, announced that it will close another nursing home. The Abbott Terrace Health Center will be shuttered by November 8, with Athena citing the loss of federal reimbursement as the driving factor. This decision will result in the termination of more than 200 […]

‘Marginal Impact’ to Nursing Home Care Seen as Kamala Harris Proposes Medicare Coverage for In-Home Long-Term Care

Vice President Kamala Harris shared a new proposal on Tuesday to require Medicare to cover the costs associated with in-home long-term care, potentially allowing seniors and individuals with disabilities to receive care in their homes rather than in skilled nursing facilities. The proposal could have broad appeal for middle-income Americans who don’t qualify for Medicaid. […]

As Floridians Brace for Hurricane’s Deadly Impact, Nursing Homes Worry About Bed Shortage, AHCA Cancels Conference

As Florida prepares for mass evacuations ahead of yet another hurricane, nursing homes may encounter much greater challenges in relocating residents this time around. Still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene, which barreled through several states, including Florida, Floridians are now bracing for Hurricane Milton. In the midst of what is now being termed […]

Record Breaking M&A Activity in Seniors Housing, Skilled Nursing

The third quarter of 2024 marked a record-breaking period for senior housing and care acquisitions, with a substantial year-over-year jump seen during the quarter for skilled nursing deals as well. That’s according to data released Monday from LevinPro LTC. There were 175 total deals for the quarter, of which 37% were skilled nursing transactions. Skilled […]

Ensign Acquires Health Care Campus with 83-Bed Nursing Home; Ziegler Closes $82.27M in Financing for Presbyterian Retirement Communities

Ensign Group’s (Nasdaq: ENSG) acquisition of a Nebraska-based health care campus with an 83-bed skilled nursing facility expands its portfolio to 324 operations across 14 states. Meanwhile, Ziegler closed $48.7 million in acquisition financing for EveryAge and $82.27 million in financing for Presbyterian Retirement Communities Ensign acquires health 83-bed care campus in Nebraska The Ensign […]

CareTrust Acquires 4 Nursing Homes for $74.7M, With Pipeline Valued at $240M

CareTrust REIT (NYSE: CTRE) announced Thursday the acquisition of a four-facility, 396-bed skilled nursing portfolio located in the Mid-Atlantic region for approximately $74.7 million. This acquisition includes a skilled nursing and assisted living campus with 47 assisted living units. As part of the acquisition, CareTrust entered into a triple-net master lease with a new operator […]

As CMS Issues Draft Minimum Data Set for Nursing Homes Early, Experts Note Some ‘Helpful’ Sections

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a draft Minimum Data Set (MDS) on Tuesday, and while the changes are minimal, clinical and reimbursement experts noted that they could lead to reduced control over certain quality reporting measures. However, the earlier-than-anticipated release also suggests that the federal agency aims to give operators a […]

Administrative Burdens, Lack of Standardization Noted as Hurdles at CMS’ Nursing Home Quality Program’s Listening Session

For its Quality Reporting Program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is exploring the possibility of expanding nursing home data collection and submission to all residents, regardless of payer type. Officials heard feedback on the challenges and benefits of such a move during a listening session held on Tuesday. If the federal agency […]

REIT Sells 118-Bed Skilled Nursing Facility in Florida; Construction Begins on Sanford Health Property

Construction began on Sanford Health’s long-term care property in Sioux Falls, which has a capacity for 500 residents and will eventually include 120 short-term rehab and skilled nursing beds. Meanwhile a REIT divested its Florida-based 118-bed skilled nursing facility. Sanford Health’s senior community with SNF component Sanford Health officially broke ground on Monday for the […]

Ziegler Closes $67.27M and $82.9M in Financing for Two Properties with Nursing Home Beds; Strawberry Fields Acquires 83-Bed Property for $6.7M  

Ziegler closed $67.27 million and $82.9 million in financing for two properties, each with skilled nursing assets, while Strawberry Fields acquired Mabry Health for $6.7 million. Strawberry Fields Acquires Mabry Health Care Strawberry Fields REIT (NYSE: STRW) announced the completion of a $6.7 million acquisition of a healthcare facility in Gainesboro, Tennessee.  The property, Mabry […]

Long-Term Care Facilities Struggle to Evacuate Ahead of Florida Hurricane

Long-term care facilities are struggling to evacuate patients due to logistical hurdles, as Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall on Thursday night. Some Florida nursing homes, however, have successfully evacuated their residents and are following protocol, according Kristen Knapp, senior director of strategy and communications for the Florida Health Care Association. “Our members have […]

As Nursing Homes Struggle to Prepare for Extreme Weather Challenges, Staff and Funding Among Major Gaps

As Florida prepares for yet another hurricane, it serves as a reminder that nursing homes in the area, as well as in other regions prone to extreme weather events, face rising risks and must maintain continued vigilance in following and developing rigorous emergency preparedness plans. Research highlights that older adults are particularly vulnerable during climate-related […]

Nursing Home Prices Outpace Other Health Care, but Sector Posts Largest Job Loss Since Pandemic

Nursing home care experienced the most significant price increase among major health care categories in August, but the sector also faced a big dip in employment during the month, with the sector losing 3,600 jobs. That’s according to the latest Altarum Health Sector Economic Indicators (HSEI) briefs for September 2024 released Tuesday. This is the […]

American Healthcare REIT Acquires Remaining Interest in Trilogy for $258M

American Healthcare REIT (NYSE: AHR) acquired the remaining 24% minority stake in Trilogy REIT Holdings for a total all-cash purchase price of approximately $258 million.  The acquisition included a base purchase price of $247 million and an $11 million pro-rata distribution owed to the former joint venture partner, an affiliate of NorthStar Healthcare Income, AHR […]

Nursing Home Assets Still Weighing Down Life Plan Communities Due to Staffing, Wage and Reimbursement 

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) within life plan communities (LPCs) remain pressured even as LPCs overall saw a revival in fiscal 2023, with labor being the biggest challenge for the nursing home assets within these campuses, according to analysts for Fitch Ratings. “The LPCs sector is experiencing a recovery following the post pandemic period that was […]

Two LeadingAge Affiliates Merge; 866-Bed, 7-Facility Nursing Home Portfolio Sells in Florida

LeadingAge Illinois and LeadingAge Iowa announced plans to merge this week. Meanwhile, Forest Healthcare Properties closed four separate transactions in September across Massachusetts, New York, and Florida, with the sale of a portfolio of seven facilities in the latter state. Two LeadingAge affiliates merge Effective November 1, 2024, LeadingAge Illinois and LeadingAge Iowa announced plans […]

House Committee Advances Important Bills For Nursing Home Workforce, Telehealth Flexibilities

Several important bills aimed at bolstering the long-term care workforce were passed Wednesday by the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and will advance to the next stage. The legislation includes the Building America’s Health Care Workforce Act, the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act, the Congressional Review Act (CRA), and the Telehealth […]

Republicans Won’t Pursue Legislative Measure to Overturn Nursing Home Staffing Mandate

Republicans in the Senate will not pursue a vote for a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s nursing home staffing mandate. The resolution by way of the proposed Congressional Review Act (CRA) would allow lawmakers to pursue a legislative tool that can fast-track the nullification of the staffing mandate. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), who led […]

‘Welcome Relief’: Fed Rate Cut Removes a Stumbling Block for Deal-Making in Nursing Home Sector Amid Occupancy Recovery

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a percentage point on Wednesday, marking the first reduction in four years and reflecting a shift aimed at supporting economic growth as inflation shows signs of moderation. Financial experts in the nursing home industry hailed the Fed’s action as “welcome relief.” “[This] is welcome relief for skilled […]