As the long-term care industry comes to terms with the nursing home staffing mandate, there are many factors for operators to consider as they plan for the coming years. The final rule on staffing, which has been received with harsh criticism from the industry, establishes updates to facility assessment standards on top of the minimum […]
Nursing home operators are exploring various avenues to challenge or block the mandate, including legal action, congressional review, and leveraging the appropriations process. “We will vigorously defend our nursing home members by any means necessary,” Rachel Reeves, spokesperson for the American Health Care Association (AHCA) said in a statement to Bloomberg Law. “We are exploring […]
Editor’s note: Please click here for more complete coverage of this story. The nursing home minimum staffing rule has been finalized, impacting all nursing homes that receive federal funding through Medicare and Medicaid, according to an announcement from the White House. The rule mandates a minimum of 3.48 hours per resident per day of total […]
Skilled nursing facilities are set to see changes to the Quality Reporting Program (QRP), with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making moves to address social determinants of health (SDOH) – mainly, adding factors such as living situation, food, utilities, and transportation. “These quality measures are leading us into the realm of health […]
The proposed minimum staffing mandate for nursing homes has left the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and is now pending final approval. According to the OMB calendar, several industry organizations have met with the office as the staffing mandates nears finalization, including The American Health Care Association (AHCA), officials from the Department of Health […]
In light of the upcoming nursing home staffing mandate, industry leaders are concerned about how the measure will be enforced. And, they’re still trying to cope with what they describe as a punitive approach to surveys. On the plus side, labor pressures have started to ease, and workforce initiatives are bearing fruit. “It’s just hard […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced proposed expansions to CMS’ existing enforcement authority – including higher fines – related to financial penalties for nursing homes. The proposed SNF rule for 2025 will allow CMS more flexibility to impose penalties, within statutory limits. The potential alterations have raised concerns about the heightened […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is testing out a payment model that would cover all costs associated with an episode of care, including a skilled nursing stay, but it appears that select hospitals would be in the driver’s seat if approved. Certain surgical procedures will fall under the new model and include […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recently proposed Value-Based Purchasing Program updates include staffing provisions that are being met with provider concern, although other updates should be well received once the dust settles. Among recommended changes, CMS is proposing allowing SNFs to review and correct Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data beginning with the fiscal […]
The nursing home industry, along with other settings in long-term care, is expected to be a central campaign focus for presidential candidates in future elections. One reason is growth of the older population just as the Medicare trust fund is projected to show a deficit starting around 2026 when the oldest of baby boomers will […]
The federal government’s proposed Medicare payment increase for 2025 is not sitting well with the nursing home sector, with financial experts and operators raising concerns that the bump fails to compensate for inflation-induced operating costs – and a staffing proposal anticipated to cost in the billions each year. For some experts, the Centers for Medicare […]
North Dakota has some of the highest staffing levels in the country – no small feat considering the many pockets of rural communities. The state has achieved this because of a very supportive legislative body that recognizes the value of long-term care services, including skilled nursing, operators and associations say. Garth Rydland, president and CEO […]
Nursing homes in Pennsylvania face a critical underfunding of Medicaid, with one in four nursing home beds currently offline due to inadequate reimbursement. Survey findings from LeadingAge PA also point toward the continuing workforce shortage, as to why so many beds are not in use. About 48% of facilities in the state have had to […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held an open door forum Tuesday, which addressed updates outlined in the proposed Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System rule (SNF PPS) for fiscal year 2025. Officials discussed payment provisions and market basket updates, along with changes to the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the new Social […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed rule that updates Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities under the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2025. CMS also proposed to expand the penalties that can be imposed through regulatory revision to allow for more per instance […]
Conspicuously absent data on Medicare Advantage (MA), along with stagnated data collection overall by government agencies, should give nursing home operators cause for concern especially as this trend has influenced company advocacy and negotiating power when it comes to insurance plans. Having this data and understanding how it’s calculated can help operators “speak the same […]
Over 20% of claims requesting discharge to nursing homes for ongoing care and post-acute therapy were denied by private insurers. That’s according to a recent survey conducted by Premier Inc., a group purchasing organization, which polled 516 acute-care hospitals about their 2022 claims. Approximately 15% of all claims submitted to private payers for reimbursement were […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted a webinar Tuesday focused on data submission related to quality reporting requirements for nursing homes. To remain compliant, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) must meet or exceed two data submission thresholds. From October 1 to December 31, SNFs must submit 80% of data containing 100% of required […]
Executives for American Healthcare REIT (NYSE: AHR), which launched a public offering in February, said Friday that they were optimistic about the company’s long-term care prospects even as occupancy growth might not be as robust in 2024 as in the year prior. During the company’s earnings call to discuss 2024 annual and 2023 fourth quarter […]
Following allegations of physical and sexual assaults, and neglect of patient medical care, California operator Mariner Health Care has agreed to pay up to $15.5 million in penalties, plus $2.25 million in costs, if unable to abide by terms related to patient safety and staffing levels. Mariner Health Care neither admitted to nor denied wrongdoing, […]
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