The Biden-Harris Administration has extended the COVID-19 public health emergency for the 11th time since the emergency was first declared in January 2020. This 90-day extension was issued by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Thursday, October 13 and will end on January 11, 2023. Telehealth waivers which have been granted under the public health…
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At the beginning of the COVID Public Health Emergency (PHE), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) used various regulatory and emergency waiver authorities to ease restrictions so providers could rapidly respond to COVID situations. CMS has now revised their PHE fact sheets to reflect an extension for use of Telehealth to perform Home Health and Hospice face-to-face…
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The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released their recommendations for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve infection protection in nursing homes and to better track data. Among the results of their review, the GAO found that most of the key indicators of health for nursing home residents worsened somewhat during the first year…
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Now that the slower audit period during the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, providers should expect a ramp-up in audits over the next year. Home health agencies shouldn’t be surprised by an audit — they should be prepared and even expect them.…. Read the full article >>>
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What word starts with a W and represents an untapped opportunity for senior living operators to help recruit and retain workers? (Hint: it’s not Wages). Say the word in relation to senior living and people think of it in terms of residents. But employees benefit, too…. Read the full article >>>
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing surveyor guidance in support of the implementation of the Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities Requirements for Participation. This clarifies specific regulatory requirements and provides information on how compliance will be assessed. CMS is also revising its guidance to State agencies to facilitate the handling of complaints…
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule for Medicare home health services that includes an $810 million decrease, or -4.2%, for calendar year 2023 as compared to 2022. This estimated 4.2% decrease is an aggregate of several factors. The proposed rule is of serious concern to the home health care industry….…
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There is a continuing debate in long-term care about whether future success is in healthcare-focused (upstream) or service-focused (downstream) services. The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care recently released results from their survey that asked about acuity levels among new residents. The overwhelming response from skilled care, assisted living and independent living operators…
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On June 3, 2022 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), notified states that they now have until March 31, 2025 to use the funding previously made available by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). States originally had a three-year period — from April 1, 2021…
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