During the pandemic, many skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) turned to staffing agencies to bring in 1099 workers (independent contractors) for clinical positions. Since then, many nursing homes have resorted to using independent contractors in less-skilled areas, too. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1099 workers amount to almost 25% of the workforce.
But do … Read More >>>
In a recent decision, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will now cover power seat elevation as durable medical equipment through the Medicare program.
“Effective immediately, seat elevation for Medicare-covered power wheelchairs is considered a clinically meaningful benefit for Medicare beneficiaries who perform transfers from power wheelchairs or use the wheelchairs for mobility-related … Read More >>>
With the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ending, it’s time to gear up to return to the volunteer requirements that were waived in 2020. Among the flexibilities previously issued by the U.S. Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS), during the PHE, was the temporary lifting of the requirement that volunteers provide at least 5% … Read More >>>
On April 18, 2023, President Biden announced “the most sweeping set of executive actions to improve care in history.” According to the White House fact sheet, the new executive order will instruct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to “build on the minimum staffing standards for nursing homes and condition a portion of … Read More >>>
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released revisions to Hospice-Appendix M of the State Operations Manual.
The biggest changes for hospices impact “the number of required sample medical record reviews, closed record reviews, and home visits” when undergoing your survey for Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) Hospice Accreditation. These … Read More >>>
According to a new investigative report, Artificial Intelligence is partially to blame for increasing Medicare Advantage denials, especially among beneficiaries in need of skilled nursing care.
The investigation details, recently published by STAT News, accused insurers of using “unregulated predictive algorithms, under the guise of scientific rigor, to pinpoint the precise moment when they can … Read More >>>
Legislation in new federal bill, the HCBS Access Act, could help hundreds of thousands more people with disabilities and seniors receive life-sustaining home care services and in their communities.
The bill, recently introduced in Congress, would increase Medicaid and state funding for home and community-based services (HCBS), and also provide resources to states for … Read More >>>
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released new guidance to reinforce the importance of supportive service programs for older adults living in subsidized affordable housing.
This guidance applies to the Multifamily Section 202 Supportive Housing for Elderly program. The new supportive service plans are intended to ensure that residents live independently … Read More >>>
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has completely overhauled the survey process for hospices. The revision goes into effect immediately. The 196-page memo provides the details of the changes to Appendix M of the State Operations Manual and CMS Hospice Basic Surveyor Training.
The refining of the CMS hospice survey process is “to … Read More >>>
The Southwest Airline mess in late December is the stuff of nightmares for business leaders, but those in the Senior Living field can learn from those mistakes.
We now know that it was a combination of a huge winter storm, outdated scheduling software, and supply/process failures that led to the enormous number of flight cancellations … Read More >>>