Nursing home operators expressed frustration with Minimum Data Set (MDS) changes effective Oct. 1, with many concerned that they will be out of compliance with completion and submission requirements because of error codes. Errors are stemming from software vendors, and providers are unable to submit MDS data with proper coding information, nursing home operators said […]
Kent Rodgers, president and CEO for CarDon & Associates, has seen some great challenges in his 17-year career at one of Indiana’s largest nursing home providers, but he’s also excited about being at the forefront of many transformations, some spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the pandemic was raging when he became the company’s […]
As managed care plans continue to reshape the skilled nursing landscape, operators must navigate the complexities of managing patients under managed healthcare programs, including maintaining patient census levels, adapting to industry-specific policies, and addressing issues related to case managers’ involvement. As Medicare Advantage continues to penetrate the nursing home market, leaders have said that MA […]
The skilled nursing industry is at a crossroads as it grapples with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed federal staffing mandate. A significant point of contention in the proposal is the exclusion of licensed practical nurses (LPNs), which has ignited concerns and garnered strong reactions from industry leaders. “What’s keeping me up […]
Hospital systems and skilled nursing facilities are redefining their relationships in response to manifold challenges and changes affecting the continuum of care. One example: In the midst of the Covid-19 public health emergency, NorthShore University HealthSystem — which became the third-largest health care delivery system in Illinois after a 2022 merger with Edward-Elmhurst Health — […]
While financial pressures have created challenges and precipitated closures for smaller mom-and-pop nursing homes, the trend has also meant opportunities for those looking to acquire and add scale. Operators who have recently acquired mom-and-pop or small facilities say the most important consideration when expanding a portfolio with mom-and-pops is getting to know the culture of […]
Nursing home staff’s trust in their leaders and federal health care agencies eroded during the worst of the pandemic – and the rebuild will be slow going. Industry executives and advocacy leaders, who said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have been unable […]
A component of the minimum staffing proposal that has received little notice thus far is that labor unions may have some weight in determining the staffing levels needed for a particular building. This feature was the source of discussion among attendees at the annual conference for the American Health Care Association and National Center for […]
As nursing home organizations adjust to a changing environment of reimbursement, Medicare Advantage Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs) are undergoing rapid growth, with operators pursuing distinct strategies meant to realize financial and operational gains. The benefits of an I-SNP can range from more control over quality, happier clinical staff, reduced administrative burdens, improved compensation and […]
Ahead of the upcoming Minimum Data Set (MDS) changes on Oct. 1, the preparation of clinicians is mixed and may have a lot to do with company size and regional market, along with resources to stay apprised of reimbursement updates. Many clinicians feel stressed and overwhelmed by the adjustments, with some playing catchup to the […]
Long-term care systems are in a critical need of reform across the country, according to AARP’s latest report on the state of the sector. The AARP report found that major gaps persisted in every state, especially related to support for family caregivers, the long-term care workforce, equity in nursing homes, and emergency preparedness. A few […]
Building and maintaining trust between capital providers and operators in the skilled nursing industry can prove critical to the success and longevity of businesses in the sector, and it’s especially important these days for navigating the ongoing challenges and uncertainties faced by the sector. Whether it means assistance on rent or lending, business partnerships should […]
More than 280,000 residents, or nearly a quarter of all residents, could be impacted by the staffing mandate – if nursing home operators have no choice but to reduce their census in order to meet hourly requirements. The proposed federal mandate would require an estimated 102,154 additional full-time employees. That’s 80,077 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) […]
As Touchstone Communities maintains its focus on building a continuum of care, the well-being of its staff members – and allowing them to work on “top of their licenses” – remains a foundational philosophy for the organization. Leslie Campbell, COO for the Texas-based company since 2020, spoke about the importance of engaging Touchstone’s clinical workers […]
Against the backdrop of economic and staffing challenges still facing the nursing home sector, operators are seeking business innovations that are community-centered and that expand their health care offerings through unique public-private partnerships and financial arrangements. The innovations include transition into a nonprofit model, creative ways to use state and federal dollars, and addition of […]
Leaders from across the sector – nurses and policy experts – are urging lawmakers to more carefully consider some of the stipulations of the nursing home staffing proposal, including the ratios of direct care staff, timing and even financial factors that may ultimately prevent the industry from complying with its conditions. The Centers for Medicare […]
The rise of managed care plans among nursing home beneficiaries has meant that nursing home providers have had to make tough choices to balance the pros and cons of such plans to reap profits. And, despite a proven track record of handling higher acuity, many providers may not think to use this to their advantage […]
The skilled nursing industry is experiencing a profound shift in patient acuity, presenting both challenges and opportunities for operators. Given this trend, experts at Skilled Nursing News’ RETHINK conference last week shared ideas on how to tackle rising acuity, including by creating “medical resorts,” using telehealth and predictive analytics to streamline care, creative staffing initiatives […]
The federal minimum staffing proposal was rushed through and is “inherently flawed” to a degree that makes it possible to defeat, according to the chief of the nation’s largest nursing home association. In a wide ranging conversation at the Skilled Nursing News (SNN) RETHINK conference in Chicago last week, Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of […]
The landscape at skilled nursing facilities is evolving rapidly, influenced by factors such as changing regulations, workforce challenges, and the rise of Medicare Advantage, and the minimum staffing proposal only complicates matters. This view was expressed by industry leaders in the opening session of the Skilled Nursing News’ RETHINK conference Wednesday. Panelists – Wesley Rogers, […]
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