AHCA: Staffing Proposal to Cost $6.8B Per Year, Create Access Issues for Nearly One Quarter of Nursing Home Residents

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) […]

Sabra CEO: Reimbursement Hikes May Be Even Bigger Next Year to Account for Inflation 

Nursing home occupancy continues to slowly improve, a trend that along with higher reimbursement rates going forward, will improve the bottom line for Sabra Healthcare REIT (Nasdaq: SBRA), according to executives. Rick Matros, CEO of Sabra, said during the company’s second quarter earnings call on Tuesday that he expects a large increase to next year’s […]

Nursing Home Occupancy Creeps Up to Hover at 81%, While Admission Roadblocks Persist

While staffing shortages continue to create admission roadblocks, the demand for skilled nursing care is recovering. From April to May, SNF occupancy decreased 3 basis points to end at 81%, according to the latest skilled nursing monthly report released by NIC MAP Vision. Pre-pandemic occupancy was 88.9%. Still, occupancy is up 97 basis points compared […]

Ensign CEO Expects a Long Comment Period for Potential Minimum Staffing Mandate as Company Focuses on Deals, Retention

Nursing home operators can expect a long comment period once the federal minimum staffing mandate comes out, potentially drawing out into the following year before anything is finalized. Barry Port, CEO of the Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG), said during the company’s second quarter conference call on Friday, that this is the tiniest bit of clarity […]

A Payor Mindset, Population Health Focus Are Key to Success as the SNF Industry Evolves

Leaders at nursing homes could create long-term value for their organizations if they adopted a population health focus, empowered local leaders and pursued actively value-based purchasing models. That’s according to a report published by CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) earlier this month. In an industry facing seismic changes, SNF operators should seize strategic opportunities, empower local leadership, and […]

‘We’re Onto Something’: Nursing Homes Focus on Speciality Programs to Meet Evolving Resident Needs

Rising acuity at nursing homes has meant a greater need for the presence of various clinical specialties at facilities. But navigating better interdisciplinary team care is a complicated matter, made more so with staffing shortages, tighter regulation and lower reimbursements. As the needs of the nursing home population continue to evolve, many providers believe it’s […]

‘Still Losing Money:’ Care Initiatives CEO Warns of SNFs Forced to Sell or Close, Keeps Focus on Ancillary Growth

While many states have enacted long-anticipated Medicaid rebasing, some nursing home leaders say it’s too little too late. States like Iowa, with smaller facilities largely run by independent owners, are seeing closures despite receiving $15 million to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates beginning July 1. Reality has hit many such independent owners, according to Michael Beal, […]

Centers Health Care Owner Allegedly Misused More Than $83M in Government Funds for Nursing Homes, Including to Buy Israeli Airline

Owners, operators and landlords of Centers Health Care in New York are facing a lawsuit filed by the state Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday, which alleges the four SNFs illegally misused more than $83 million in taxpayer money. Diverted funds went toward, among other things, funding the purchase of Israeli airline El Al, according […]

With New Value-Based Care Play and Smaller SNF Portfolio, United Church Homes Looks to Future

United Church Homes (UCH), which provides a range of care and services to older adults in skilled nursing centers and other settings, is making a value-based care play that involves health plan provider CareSource.  Ohio-based UCH and Metta Healthcare, the parent company of Ohio’s Hospice and Pure Healthcare, are forming a new nonprofit entity called […]

PDPM is a Start, But Rising Acuity at Nursing Homes Demands Building New Payment Models for Adequate Reimbursement 

As acuity continues to rise among nursing home residents, providers say reimbursement needs to change too – and not just the dollar amount. Incentives should be based on quality of care, and the industry will need to build out specific reimbursement models to match expanded acuity specialities, especially as value-based care becomes more and more […]

CMS Release of New MDS Materials Serves as Springboard for Staff Training

As promised, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) late Monday released virtual training on updated guidance for the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The agency initially announced plans for training sessions during an open door forum in March. Part one consists of pre-recorded training webinars to deliver foundational knowledge on changes coming Oct. 1. […]

‘Past the Trough’: Omega CEO Cautiously Optimistic As Occupancy Up, Acquisitions Underway 

Following its first quarter earnings release, executives at Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. (NYSE: OHI) said Wednesday that new investments along with restructuring of existing deals will result in gains. This is in part due to rent deferrals ending on some of Omega’s properties and operating trends continuing to improve for the sector, company leaders said […]