Walking away from a Medicare Advantage plan may be disruptive, but some of the largest nursing home providers haven’t hesitated to cut ties with plans that fail to reimburse adequately. They say the risks can outweigh the rewards, particularly when promised increases in referral volume often don’t materialize. At the opening session for Skilled Nursing […]
The skilled nursing sector is entering 2026 on firmer footing than a year ago. At that time, a new presidential administration and the unknown fate of the federal staffing mandate were sources of uncertainty for providers. Fast-forward to today, and the rollback of the staffing mandate has removed a major looming threat, allowing providers to […]
Gary Blake regrets that Creative Solutions in Healthcare did not bring on more nurse practitioners sooner, saying the decision has been a turning point for the skilled nursing provider. “I’m not too proud to say I stand corrected on the use of nurse practitioners,” he said. “I actually can’t say enough great things about them […]
Having acquired the real estate of 18 facilities over a period of 18 months, Creative Solutions in Healthcare is moving forward with an accelerated growth strategy underpinned by HUD financing. “Since we’ve operated across most markets in Texas, we’ve built a deep understanding of where we perform the best, both urban and rural,” Chris Eamiguel, […]
A proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to phase out a list of inpatient-only hospital procedures threatens skilled nursing facility (SNF) access if the so-called three-day stay rule is not eliminated, and also should prompt bigger thinking about the role SNFs can and should play in the U.S. health care system. […]
In their quest to reduce hospitalizations and improve patient outcomes, nursing home providers should not underestimate the difference that strong hydration and nutrition programs can make. This was one theme of the recent Skilled Nursing News RETHINK Conference in Chicago, where leaders with various providers spoke of their companies’ efforts and achievements in these areas. […]
Hospital length of stay has been increasing more dramatically for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries than traditional Medicare beneficiaries, and this trend is especially pronounced for people who are discharged to a skilled nursing facility. This is according to an article recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine. In the third quarter of 2023, hospital patients on Medicare […]
In the aftermath of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), hospital funding cuts could disrupt care coordination, delay discharges, and heighten competition with nursing homes for Medicaid resources. But nursing home providers also could have new opportunities to strengthen their relationships with hospitals and achieve some long-sought policy wins. One major shift that nursing […]
Creative Solutions in Healthcare (CSH) saw the tough road ahead. Their path forward would rest in a new partnership, one that epitomized the very reason they chose their name. Back in 2000, Gary and Malisa Blake co-founded the skilled care provider, naming their new company Creative Solutions in Healthcare as a nod to their commitment […]
Ensign expanded its footprint to add facilities in Texas and Idaho. Meanwhile, Creative Solutions acquired five skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) from Diversicare. Creative Solutions Closes 5-SNF Acquisition Creative Solutions in Healthcare, the largest skilled nursing operator in Texas, has acquired five skilled nursing facilities from Diversicare, effective July 1. “This expansion allows us to bring […]
Creative Solutions in Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest nursing home operators, has created a new position to explore operational innovation and technology-driven care while reducing administrative burdens among frontline staff. Chelsea Jordan has been named vice president of data integration and payroll, a position that will include traditional payroll oversight while also supporting efforts […]
Creative Solutions in Healthcare received $47 million to finance the acquisition of two skilled nursing facilities in Texas, totaling 228 beds, bringing the count of newly acquired facilities by the company since the beginning of this year to 15. The two facilities in the latest acquisition are located in Kirbyville and El Paso, and were […]
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 […]
As the Skilled Nursing News’ CLINICAL event in Washington D.C. came to a close last month, industry experts left with staffing concerns amid labor shortages and pending legislation on minimum staffing standards. However, operators also shared optimism over their innovations in corporate and clinical practices as they continued to confront higher acuity and tighter regulation. […]
For nursing home operators with rapidly expanding portfolios, there are a lot of challenges and rewards to consider. Joseph Lee, Senior VP of Support Services at PACS, knows this first-hand. “We’re looking at where we can have a footprint where four or five facilities that can support one another and we can absorb them into […]
With reporting from Tim Mullaney and Zahida Siddiqi With the number of nursing home beds in decline across the United States — and providers large and small divesting of facilities, exiting the industry or shutting down completely — some organizations are finding ways to grow. Expansion is one theme uniting this year’s skilled nursing providers […]
After 20 acquisitions last year, Creative Solutions in Healthcare has no plans to slow down in 2023. The Texas-based company rang in the New Year adding two skilled nursing facilities to its roster, purchased from Southwest LTC, another regional player. Creative Solutions will also be acquiring eight more SNFs on Feb. 1, CEO Gary Blake […]
During the course of its 19-facility expansion — in the middle of a pandemic — Texas operator Creative Solutions in Healthcare avoided hiring additional accounts receivable personnel by utilizing a health care payment automation platform. Fort Worth, Texas-based vendor CoreCare supplies reimbursement automation technology to make this feat possible, while the SNF industry faces a […]
In a nod to the importance of data under the Medicare reimbursement overhaul coming October 1, a Texas skilled nursing provider is adding data analytics to all of its facilities — more than 70 throughout the Lone Star State. Creative Solutions in Healthcare, based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Real Time Medical Solutions earlier this […]
Shareholders of MedEquities Realty Trust (NYSE: MRT) on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a plan to merge with fellow real estate investment trust (REIT) Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE: OHI). Around 99.9% of the votes cast — representing 79.5% of all outstanding shares as of March 4 — were in favor of the $600 million deal, first announced […]
