Why the Medicaid Battle is Leading to More Quality-Based Nursing Home Payments

In the midst of lagging Medicaid reimbursements, more nursing providers are pushing states to launch quality incentive programs that are designed to enhance care and reward high-performing long-term care providers. Twenty-four states already have them in place, and the latest to join this trend is Pennsylvania. And to that end, nursing home providers in Pennsylvania […]

Iowa Might Join 14 States in Allowing Room Cameras in Nursing Homes

Iowa nursing homes may see cameras in resident rooms – with state legislators progressing a bill on the matter. The legislation will allow the use of “granny cams” despite many operator misgivings, providing families with a video feed of activity inside a resident’s room, according to a report published in the Iowa Capital Dispatch. Fourteen […]

‘Bad Policy’: Despite Appeals Changes, Civil Monetary Penalty Rule Still Hurting Aide Training at Nursing Homes

While nearly 21% of nursing homes across the country have developed nurse aide training programs to combat workforce shortages, civil monetary policy rules have severely hindered efforts to rebuild the workforce. Such training programs are revoked for two years, or cannot be initiated, if a SNF has been issued a CMP in excess of $11,995, […]

Nursing Home Survey Trends: Citation Frequency on the Rise, Coupled with Ongoing Regional Subjectivity

Nursing home operators are seeing government oversight surveyors collaborate at the state and federal level to issue more citations at a time when the nursing home industry is already grappling with a very tight regulatory environment. The survey process is fraught with problems – including lacking standardization – resulting in unnecessary citations and distractions, according […]

Solution in Search of a Problem: CMS’ Latest Nursing Home Ownership Proposals Raise Industry Concerns

For the last year, federal regulators have taken steps to increase nursing home ownership transparency, as part of the White House’s reform agenda. The most recent actions have centered on more clearly defining different types of ownership groups and making information more consumer-friendly – and have drawn concern and criticism from within the sector. About […]

Texas, Nebraska Led Nation in Nursing Home Closures in 2022

Texas and Nebraska led the nation for most nursing home closures in 2022, with industry advocates citing inadequate Medicaid rates that have not kept pace with a tough economic and operating environment. And advocates also caution that the latest numbers are likely understated, with even more facility closures occurring. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid […]

Nursing Homes See Movement on Staffing Agency Reform

There has been a flurry of proposed legislation to better regulate staffing agencies, as those in the sector continue to charge soaring prices for much-needed staff in nursing homes. Operators and the state associations that represent them have pressed lawmakers to pass legislation on the largely unregulated staffing agency industry, with the exception of a […]

Iowa Nursing Home Lobbyists Praise Lowered Fines Under Trump

Nursing home lobbyists in Iowa thanked federal regulators for lowering fines on facilities and asked them to “pursue a more collaborative — and less punitive — role” in nursing home regulation, the Des Moines Register reported Wednesday. In a July 7 phone call arranged by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, Iowa Health Care Association (HCA) President Brent […]