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, […]
It’s no surprise that the Biden administration’s minimum staffing mandate was the source of Skilled Nursing News’ most-read story of 2024. From the proposal stage to its final form, our stories on the staffing mandate covered all aspects of its requirements as well as the legal and legislative challenges against it. Our stories about the […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued details on a national staffing campaign for the nursing home sector, aimed at increasing the number of nurses working in nursing homes and at state agencies that inspect nursing homes for compliance. The campaign continues the initiatives outlined in April, which ties $75 million funded […]
The nursing home industry has been on a wild ride this past year, with major regulation up in the air and a flip in the White House leaving operators unsure of whether they should applaud or brace for impact. Rhetoric surrounding the federal minimum staffing mandate has changed drastically throughout the year, with leaders condemning […]
New reporting requirements related to acute respiratory illnesses for nursing homes will take effect on Jan. 1, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Nursing homes must report data related to, but not limited to, the flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The rule essentially replaces existing reporting requirements. Questions pertaining […]
Federal agencies are honing in on ownership transparency and corporate-level compliance, most recently with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) citing concerns about certain practices that allow nursing homes to hide profits. OIG’s latest guidance focuses on the practice of “tunneling,” which refers to the misrepresentation or concealment of profitability in payments to related parties, […]
Surveyors will be evaluating for compliance in new ways, as a result of nursing home survey changes for 2025. While significant, these changes reflect federal initiatives that associations and operators have been seeing for some time now. Nursing home providers are parsing through recent, significant changes to the survey process and trying to grasp the […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking new steps to improve Medicare Advantage (MA) access and transparency, including reforms to prior authorizations and the use of AI tools to deny coverage, as outlined in the 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D proposed rule, officials said during a call on Tuesday. The Contract […]
In the latest development related to litigation against the federal nursing home staffing mandate, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is urging a federal judge to deny the injunctive relief requested by 21 state attorneys general and several providers. The DOJ on Nov. 21 filed a memo with the U.S. District Court for the Northern […]
Of the many significant factors affecting the skilled nursing industry in the last five years, Medicare Advantage was named as a major disruptor, as cost reports show a shift in operating margins with more facilities struggling financially. Stephen Taylor, principal of senior living and care segment leader for CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), said MA has had “one […]
American Healthcare REIT’s (NYSE: AHR) third financial quarter was defined by executing on several key initiatives that have set up the company for future growth. Moreover, leaders unpacked Medicare Advantage contract negotiations and shared plans for staff training among its operating partners, including Trilogy REIT Holdings. One such initiative involved Irvine, Calif.-based AHR acquiring its […]
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