Dr. Mehmet Oz vowed to reduce the bureaucratic footprint of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) if confirmed to lead the federal agency. He also acknowledged problems with Medicare Advantage plans and criticized the preauthorization process and overbilling by insurers. During his appearance before the Senate Committee on Finance Friday, Oz seemed to […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has delayed nursing home survey changes for another month, with implementation now to begin April 28 rather than March 24. Associations and providers alike are glad they’re being given more time to prepare, educate and test procedures. CMS said the delay “allows ample time” for both surveyors […]
Transitions in nursing home care will be heavily impacted by upcoming surveyor guidance, but operators can prepare by being realistic about admissions, while also cleaning up any gaps in the discharge process. At the same time, robust documentation around psychotropic medications will be a boon for operators facing updated guidance. Much of the surveyor guidance […]
Staffing and certain compliance issues related to updated survey guidance coming in late March, particularly those that relate to patient discharges as well as use of psychotropic medications, are top of mind for nursing home clinical leaders in 2025. Panelists at Skilled Nursing News’ annual CLINICAL conference, which took place early this week in Fort […]
Nursing home leaders are hoping that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) new chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was sworn in on Thursday, will commit to protecting Medicare and Medicaid and undoing the federal staffing mandate. Republican lawmakers are pushing for potential Medicaid cuts in their spending bill due to be finalized […]
Just days ago officials with the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were granted access to agency systems and technology at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), but it’s unclear how the department plans to use such findings, or what sort of impact it would have on nursing homes. Nursing home associations […]
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 […]
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 […]
The newly installed Trump administration late Tuesday prompted federal health agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to pause external communications through Feb. 1. That includes regular scientific reports, updates to websites and health advisories – communication that those in the nursing home industry regularly rely upon. Nursing home associations including the […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nursing home residents that receive Medicaid benefits may be affected by a change in federal poverty level standards, which are applied to eligibility requirements. To match inflationary costs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Friday announced a 2.9% increase in price between 2023 and 2024. With the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, […]
A federal judge has rejected a request to temporarily stop the implementation of the federal nursing home staffing mandate in a much-awaited ruling issued Thursday. Judge Leonard T. Strand of the U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa found that the preliminary injunction – sought by 20 states, 17 LeadingAge affiliates and two Kansas nursing home facilities […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) compiled an ambitious checklist of changes for the nursing home industry as part of its 2025 mission and priorities document released this week, but a lack of details on staffing-related issues and infection protocols is raising concerns about a fair survey process. Surveyor guidance was a major […]
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. […]
While 2025 remains a bit uncertain due to the federal staffing mandate and a new White House administration, leaders in the nursing home industry plan to continue working toward improving quality of care, addressing workforce challenges and advocating for fair regulation and reimbursements. Clif Porter, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center […]
Despite the sector continuing to grapple with staffing shortages, rising operational costs, and regulatory uncertainty, emerging trends have skilled nursing leaders gearing up for a positive 2025, with fewer challenges and more opportunities on the horizon. As we look ahead, several key trends are expected to shape the sector from regulatory shifts to financial turbulence, […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo to surveyors on Tuesday stating that the expanded reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses, which the agency discussed at length during early December’s open door forum, should be incorporated into the survey process. The new requirements related to acute respiratory illnesses for nursing homes […]
Nursing care and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) saw spending grow 9.5% in 2023, the highest it’s been since a big Covid-year surge in 2020 of 11.8%. The space experienced a bit of whiplash between 2020 and 2023, dropping to negative 6.4% growth in 2021 and then 5.9% growth in 2022, according to the national […]
The American Health Care Association, LeadingAge and other nursing home stakeholders involved in the lawsuit against the federal minimum staffing mandate filed their final argument against the rule late on Friday, asking a federal judge to deny the federal agency’s cross-motion for summary judgement. Given that a judgement is expected early in the new year, […]
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