CareTrust Execs Downplay Disruptions from PACS Holdings and Possible Medicaid Cuts, Showcasing ‘Unprecedented’ Financial Growth, Pipeline 

CareTrust REIT (NYSE: CTRE) executives said Thursday that they have no plans to slow down dealmaking in 2025, noting that the fundamentals for skilled nursing remain strong. They anticipate no major disruptions from potential Medicaid or Medicare changes under the new administration, high interest rates, and exposure to PACS Group (NYSE: PACS) holdings. “Financial markets, […]

Nursing Home Construction, Innovation Stymied By CON Laws and Tariff Threat

Existing and new roadblocks to construction and innovation in the nursing home sector are being felt across the country, with the repeal of certificate of need (CON) top of mind for providers in certain states, as higher tariffs are also expected to impose challenges down the road.  The CON law generally requires providers to receive […]

Skilled Nursing Outlook 2025: Expect More Deals, Private Equity Influence, Shifting Staff Dynamics, Tech Investment

While staffing dynamics are changing for nursing homes, labor issues still represent a significant pain point as facilities continue to rebuild. In the meantime, operators are prioritizing inorganic expansion and technology investments to tackle critical issues, including staffing shortfalls. Labor costs and inflation remain top challenges for the industry for 2025, but interestingly recruitment and […]

Money on the Table: Common Mistakes Cost Nursing Homes PDPM Reimbursement

With overlooked reimbursement opportunities in the Payment-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) relatively common, nursing home operators can start to improve by focusing on some key areas where money is commonly left on the table. Accurate documentation in the areas of speech, non-therapy ancillary services and nursing are top of the list for improving reimbursement through the […]

Ensign Has More Deals Than They Could ‘Ever Dream of Doing,’ With 2025 M&A Pace Set to Match Last Year

The Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG) in the next few months expects to close on assets in two new states, Alaska and Oregon, and leadership says the operator has significant bandwidth to grow in 35 other states. Ensign’s footprint spans 15 states currently, including 12 new operations added in the fourth financial quarter alone, which includes […]

Staff Limitations, Acuity, New Service Uncertainty Define the Clinical Landscape for Nursing Homes

Staffing constraints are the single greatest challenge to maintaining clinical excellence in 2025, followed by insufficient reimbursement, and then rising operational costs and regulatory burdens. Meanwhile, operators are split on building new specialty clinical services. Workforce challenges are overwhelmingly top of mind for operators, with 45.5% saying these are hindering quality care, according to a […]

‘A Jolt’: Inside the Operational Disruption at Nursing Homes from CMS’ Communication Freeze

The Trump administration’s communications freeze, which has indefinitely blocked a majority of external communications by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), continues to cause turmoil for nursing home operators. This freeze, imposed last week, has disrupted the flow of key health care data, and extends to several federal agencies, including the Centers for […]

‘Infused with Foreign-Born Workers’: Inside Nursing Home Sector’s Push to Expand Programs for Refugees, Migrants

While the Trump Administration’s latest executive orders on immigration are expected to continue threatening fragile gains in the nursing home workforce, providers are successfully using refugee workers to bolster their staff. The nursing home workforce is “infused with foreign-born workers,” Janine Finck-Boyle, vice president of health policy at LeadingAge, said in an email to Skilled […]

Nursing Home Clinicians Need a Seat at the Policy Table to Address ‘Chronic Underfunding’ and Workforce Shortages

At a time when healthcare policy changes and potential Medicaid cuts create uncertainty for nursing homes, Signature HealthCARE is forging ahead with initiatives that will result in certain wins for providers. According to Kathy Gallin, vice president of legislative affairs and health policy at Signature HealthCARE, key legislative priorities for the organization include workforce solutions […]

‘Noble’ but a ‘Disaster’: Kennedy Raises Concerns About Practicality of Nursing Home Staffing Mandate

During a heated first confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised concerns over the practicality of the nursing home staffing mandate, acknowledging the risks it poses to access of care, especially in rural communities. He also shared his vision for lowering overall health care costs. Kennedy is seeking to lead the $1.7 trillion […]

‘Devastating’: Medicaid Cuts in Republican Crosshairs, With Nursing Homes Seen as Bearing Major Pain

Potential Medicaid cuts under President Donald Trump, amounting to more than $2.3 trillion over the span of a decade, are likely amid Republican leadership’s reluctance to trim Medicare and Social Security, with the nursing home sector expected to face deep impacts. In total, House Republicans are exploring over $5 trillion in potential cuts to offset […]

Inside State Initiatives Boosting Immigrant Labor in Nursing Homes Amid Trump’s Deportation Threats

States and local associations haven’t given up on using policy changes to immigration as a major tool to combat the staffing crisis in nursing homes, despite the Trump administration launching the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. Immigrant workers in nursing homes all across the U.S. have proven to be a strong solution to […]

Diakonos, Good Samaritan COOs: Nursing Home Investments in 2025 Will Focus on ‘Flexibility’ 

As providers focus on building up the nursing home workforce, and in turn protecting access to care, many leaders in 2025 are prioritizing shift flexibility for staff while also launching new programs to better support hiring and retention. At the same time, investments in integrated health services and behavioral health are top of mind for […]

Legal Defeat Remains Key Even if Legislative, Administrative Barriers Make Repeal of the Nursing Home Staffing Mandate Inevitable

In the aftermath of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) response to a pending lawsuit against the federal minimum staffing mandate, nursing home sector experts are stressing that legally defeating the mandate – and effectively canceling it – remains crucial. “The section [in HHS’s response] relating to the limitation on the relief is […]

‘Whole Different Ballgame’: Trump’s Executive Orders, Vision for First 100 Days Deemed Positive for Nursing Homes

Among the myriad executive orders signed by President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day Monday was one that freezes new regulations. A welcome relief for nursing home providers, the executive order reflects the new Republican administration’s overall preference for less regulation. However, it is worth noting that this executive order will not derail the staffing mandate […]

‘Health Care Villages’ Seek to Stabilize Nursing Home Labor Pool by Supporting Workers at Life’s Crossroads

Traditional workforce development models often fail because they don’t address personal barriers to success, such as housing, transportation and childcare, that workers in the nursing home sector – where many are single mothers – face in maintaining employment. While staffing has improved over the last year, these common life struggles threaten the stability of the […]

As CMS Proposes 4.33% Medicare Advantage Pay Increase, Experts See Better Negotiation Outlook for Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a 4.33% increase in payments to Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, which could have an overall positive trickle-down effect on nursing homes. Expected to be finalized under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, this slight payment boost comes after MA providers faced a modest rate reduction for 2025. […]

‘A Band Aid on a Gaping Wound’: CMS’ $20M Incentive for RNs in Nursing Homes Leaves Much to be Desired

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to offer up to $20 million to boost the registered nurse (RN) workforce in nursing homes, but this, along with the agency’s Nursing Home Staffing Campaign, misses the mark on many levels, according to operators. This funding grants nursing students seeking to become RNs up to […]

Best Skilled Nursing Design 2024: Citrus Heights’ Garden Areas Marry Eco-Friendliness, Resident Safety

Masonic Homes Covina Citrus Heights Health Center is a newly constructed 32-bed skilled nursing facility built to serve residents and the broader community. It’s part of a larger continuing care retirement community (CCRC). The project is defined by an open floor plan, abundant natural light and green spaces for every resident and their families, with […]

Executive Outlook 2025 (Part 2): In Seeking Cleaner Public Image, Nursing Homes Target Changes to Infrastructure, Staffing, Service Lines

As the dust finally began to settle in 2024 from the operational storm unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing home operators found themselves in a good position to turn to an issue that had not been so much ignored as largely postponed in the wake of the lasting damage. Closures along with mergers and acquisitions […]