Cuomo, Former Aides Allegedly Manipulated Covid Nursing Home Data, House Investigation Reveals

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, along with some of his top aides at the time, may have allegedly made false or misleading statements during the pandemic or in their testimony to Congress, including manipulating Covid nursing home data. The investigation, helmed by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, concluded that Cuomo and […]

‘Perfect Fit’: Ensign Acquires 8 Nursing Homes in Colorado and Kansas, with a Chance to Boost Occupancy

The Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG) acquired the operations of the seven skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in Colorado totaling 760 beds, along with a 102-bed SNF in Kansas, the company announced Tuesday. “We are thrilled to continue our recent expansion in Colorado,” said CEO Barry Port in a press release. “These operations are a perfect fit […]

Five-Property Portfolio Based in Southwest Sells; Marquis Expands With Orthopedic Program

Evans Senior Investments (ESI) arranged the sale of a five-property portfolio in the Southwest, comprising skilled nursing beds and senior housing units. The transaction was carried out on behalf of an unnamed regional owner-operator for an undisclosed amount. Real estate brokerage firm ESI ran a confidential marketing process, engaging with a select group of buyers, […]

CFG Finances $440M in First Half of 2024; New ISNP Launches from American Health Plans JV

Capital Funding Group (CFG) financed more than $440 million in the first half of this year, including 18 health care bridge loans, five multifamily bridge loans and eight HUD loans. Notable transactions included a $42 million HUD financing package for three skilled nursing facilities in Washington and Idaho, along with a $36.2 million bridge-to-HUD loan […]

‘Tug of War’: Inside Navigating the Pitfalls of Dual Eligible Coverage in Nursing Homes

Delivering care to dual eligible nursing home residents can be complex with so many payers involved in the industry, but aligning incentives, quality measures and tools for providers can help operators serve this demographic. Dual eligible residents, or those that can receive benefits from both Medicare and Medicaid, often find themselves in a “tangled web […]

With $270M in the Pipeline, NHI Leaders Eye New Acquisitions After Posting Strong Q2

Looking ahead, leaders at National Health Investors Inc. (NYSE: NHI) are excited about recent investment activity and a growing pipeline of $270 million. The real estate investment trust (REIT) is pursuing several large portfolio deals, along with fee-simple real estate, loans with purchase options and seniors housing opportunities. The Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based company has spent multiple […]

Following Petersen Bankruptcy, Some Nursing Homes Sold, More Placed in Receivership

One of Petersen Health Care’s nursing homes on Monday was placed in receivership, following the Illinois operator’s bankruptcy filing in March.  The Courtyard Estates of Farmington nursing home will now be overseen by a court-appointed receiver, thanks to a deal brokered by the Bank of Farmington, according to a report from Peoria Public Radio. Attorney […]

State Offers Medicaid Funding to Nursing Homes for Private Rooms

Nursing homes in Ohio will soon receive financial incentives for each additional private room they offer, thanks to a proposal recently greenlit by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The initiative, set to launch in the coming months, was developed by the Ohio Department of Medicaid and revises the reimbursement structure for Medicaid-funded […]

‘Extraordinary Achievement’: Care Transition Program in Nursing Homes Reduced Hospital Readmission Rates by 20%

Despite operational and financial headwinds affecting the nursing home sector currently, a transitional care program and physiatry partnership has been able to cut readmission rates from 29% to 9% among a group of facilities. OSF HealthCare, a 17-hospital system in Illinois and Michigan, partnered with physiatry and care coordination management group Puzzle Healthcare to deliver […]

‘Everyone Is Reevaluating’: Onerous Survey Process Is Latest Challenge to Operating Skilled Nursing Among CCRCs

Skilled nursing assets at continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) have long been subject to downsizing for a variety of reasons, including operational challenges, the cost to care for skilled patients and regulatory hurdles. Add to this list: the severity of the nursing home survey process. Stu Almer, CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System in New York, […]

Quarterly Trella Report Finds Medicare FFS Admissions to Nursing Homes Declined by 19.9%

Medicare Fee-for-Service, or traditional Medicare, admissions to nursing homes decreased significantly year over year by almost 20% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Coupled with this drop is a steady rise in Medicare Advantage enrollment, with such plans representing 54.7% of all beneficiaries enrolled in both Medicare Part A and B as of February, Trella […]

Occupancy Fluctuations Seen Among PACS, Ensign as Sector Remains Flat

Occupancy shifts appear to be happening across the largest nursing home operators, with the Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG) seeing facility occupancy fall as other leading sector players showed gains while overall sector occupancy levels remained steady. Ensign’s occupancy levels dropped to 78.5%, posting a loss of 40 basis points. Meanwhile, PACS Group (NYSE: PACS) saw […]

Former NY Gov. Cuomo Calls Congressional Investigation Into His Handling of Nursing Home Admissions Politically Motivated

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo testified Tuesday before a Congressional subcommittee about the state’s handling of nursing home patients during the pandemic, including a controversial directive that prevented residents from being denied admission based solely on their Covid diagnosis. The interview also follows a 2022 audit by the state comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, alleging […]

Nursing Home Leaders from Genesis, Ignite, Diakonos, Avamere On Why ‘Super SNF’ May Replace Hospital-Based Recovery Care

The “super SNF,” an insider term used for nursing homes that serve mostly high acuity patients, is evolving to enhance its specialized function, and leaders in the space believe it will be a replacement – or at least a supplement – for long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). The latest changes […]

Ahead of NHC Lease Negotiations, Activist Shareholder Calls for NHI Board Shakeup

An activist investor of National Health Investors (NYSE: NHI) has called for changes to the real estate investment trust’s (REIT’s) board of directors , ahead of lease negotiations with one of the REIT’s largest tenants, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC). Land & Buildings Investment Management issued a letter to shareholders on Thursday, urging a shakeup in […]

Class Action Settlement Tied to $1B Investment in Moving Nursing Home Residents to HCBS

One state has committed more than $1.1 billion to boosting community living options for people who would otherwise be in a nursing home, following a landmark class action lawsuit settlement. The 54-page settlement agreement still needs a judge’s approval. The original case, titled Marsters v. Healey, involved six residents who were unable to leave their […]

‘SNF-Heavy’ CCRCs Continue to Suffer as Staffing, Revenue Pressures Mount

Skilled nursing beds continue to be associated with more operational stress among continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) this year, despite improved occupancy from 72.4% in 2022 to 82.2% in 2023, and preliminary 2024 data showing further improvement. Fitch Ratings recorded eased labor challenges as well among skilled nursing providers as part of its “exposure draft” […]

Aldersbridge CEO: Tone Deaf Policy, MA Giants Have Backed Nursing Homes into a Corner

As inadequate funding squeezes nursing homes dry, with Medicare Advantage reimbursing lower than traditional Medicare, and Medicaid funding decades behind on meeting cost of care, facilities are shifting operations to optimize reimbursement. But even that may not be enough. Richard Gamache, CEO of Aldersbridge Communities in Rhode Island, has had to make such operating decisions […]

More Than Two-Thirds of Nursing Homes Fear Closures as Almost All Cite Challenges Recruiting Staff

Despite ongoing investments from operators, the nursing home industry is struggling to rebuild its workforce and recover from the pandemic. Meanwhile, operators are concerned that the federal minimum staffing proposal, once finalized, will make operational challenges worse even as nursing homes limit admissions and are concerned about closures. Such findings were outlined in the American […]