To maximize payments, nursing homes don’t necessarily need to deploy more technology but instead make better use of existing software, especially clinical dashboards, which are currently underutilized. Data derived from clinical dashboards can prevent attrition of payment. And, more widespread use of clinical dashboards should be a standard practice across nursing homes, according to Danielle […]
The pain points stemming from the continued expansion of Medicare Advantage (MA) have lingered for so long without a course correction that some nursing home organizations have altered their contracting practices with managed care groups. The headline per-diem rate is no longer the primary factor in deciding whether to accept or renew an MA contract […]
With greater scrutiny of case-mix growth and coding, nursing homes should be strengthening documentation. Operators should also prepare now for expanded MDS reporting requirements beginning in 2029, reimbursement experts said. To be sure, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is not implementing a case-mix adjustment in the FY 2027 final rule, but the rule’s language makes clear […]
Nursing home leaders are rethinking not only how they operate but how they define opportunity heading into 2026. This is apparent from executives at nursing home organizations spanning various sizes and regions, who are serving as the Skilled Nursing News RETHINK Advisory Board. These industry leaders are providing valuable insights to guide our coverage of […]
The Centralized recruitment model is gaining momentum across long-term care communities and nursing homes, and more operators amid consolidation in the sector, are attesting to its success. Operators like Covenant Living Communities and Services understand well, however, that success is only as good as the region and setting. “I don’t necessarily think there’s a magic […]
Growth of managed care has deepened reimbursement challenges for Covenant Living Communities and Services, much like for many providers in the nursing home sector. However, a centralized intake model launched three years ago and certain contract negotiation strategies have enabled efficient revenue cycle management. With an extensive network of communities spread across many states, the […]
The growing prevalence of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in many skilled nursing markets has been a source of mounting challenges for operators, many of whom are wondering whether they can keep up with the change. Yet a few strategies can go a long way to make the transition work, experts said. They cite leveraging data […]
Many nursing home operators that also have hospice operations can’t help but notice that the survey process on the hospice end is generally a more positive experience than in the nursing home world. And some say the collaborative nature – between facilities and the federal government – of hospice surveys can and should be replicated […]
Some nursing homes are seeing “significantly more” audits tied to managed care and dual plan Medicaid claims in certain states – and potentially could see the same from Medicare too. This is all on top of an improper payment probe the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is conducting for Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) […]
As staffing remains one of the leading areas of trouble for nursing homes, operators have turned to technology tools that have improved both retention and recruitment of workers in the last year. But while operators, advocates and even insurance providers associated with the skilled nursing sector applaud the implementation of staffing-related technology, doing so is […]
Following the tough lessons learned during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing home operators are finding ways to ensure they are never caught off guard again. Improving nursing home preparedness has not only been on the mind of operators but government officials and industry experts as well when it comes to discussing reform […]
Though fears of a massive staff exodus following the Biden’s administration vaccination mandate have likely been tempered with the recent inclusion of all health care providers, recruitment for nursing homes remains a challenge as the need for direct care workers in long-term care settings will nearly double in the next decade. “When I worked in […]
