Two LeadingAge Affiliates Merge; 866-Bed, 7-Facility Nursing Home Portfolio Sells in Florida

LeadingAge Illinois and LeadingAge Iowa announced plans to merge this week. Meanwhile, Forest Healthcare Properties closed four separate transactions in September across Massachusetts, New York, and Florida, with the sale of a portfolio of seven facilities in the latter state. Two LeadingAge affiliates merge Effective November 1, 2024, LeadingAge Illinois and LeadingAge Iowa announced plans […]

‘Keeps Us on Our Toes’: Covenant Living’s Approach to Navigating Rise of Managed Care at Nursing Homes Across Diverse Footprint

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 […]

Labor Woes, Surging Demand Complicate Efforts to Right-Size Skilled Nursing Facilities

Right-sizing is crucial and tricky for nursing home operators, as demographics are driving demand but also contributing to labor shortages. Ultimately, providers must weigh several factors in order to create businesses that are successful today and sustainable for the future. “It’s about the right service offerings, which sometimes means shrinking your physical footprint and asking, […]

Inside 3 Disruptive Trends Reshaping Skilled Nursing Sector

The skilled nursing sector is in the midst of upheaval, and providers must create and execute on strategies that involve difficult choices and significant financial investments if they hope to thrive in the future. “We are in a period of disruption,” Dana Wollschlager, partner and industry practice leader of senior living development and advisory services […]

$700M Medicaid Boost Tied to Staffing Levels Greenlit for Nursing Homes

Running in tandem with federal efforts to provide adequate staffing levels and better pay to certified nursing assistants (CNAs), some state officials have undergone efforts looking to achieve similar results. Illinois House Bill (HB) 246 is making its way to Gov. JB Pritzker after state legislators on Thursday unanimously approved a $700 million increase to […]

White House Throws Its Weight Behind SNF Value-Based Purchasing Expansion, with Staffing Measures Targeted

The value-based purchasing program (VBP) available to skilled nursing facilities, while garnering the attention of the Biden administration in its sweeping reform initiatives, was already under the microscope with federal agencies. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) already has been authorized to apply nine measures to the program in adherence with the Consolidated […]

States With Lowest Nursing Home Staff Hours Reflect Pressing Industry Issue

Federal data shows that staffing levels dropped 7.8% since the first quarter of 2021, and both Illinois and Missouri fell below 3 nursing staff hours per resident day. That’s according to a report from the Long-Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) using data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provided by nursing homes.  National […]

As Managed Care Grows, Skilled Nursing Providers Have Leverage

Skilled nursing providers are adding value for managed care payors, and they need to be willing to tout it in contract negotiations, according to one executive. “[Managed care] is coming your way,” Anthony Laflen, director of data analytics at Consonus Healthcare, told a room full of nursing home operators at LeadingAge Illinois’ annual conference in Schaumburg, Ill. […]

Data is Essential for Skilled Nursing Facilities to Thrive in New World

In the face of the changing payment landscape, skilled nursing providers can’t afford to put off data collection. In fact, there’s a lot of information gathering they must be doing now to adapt to value-based payments, Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI), the rise of Medicare Advantage (MA), and a host of other changes, Leah […]