Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
Updates, policy and news in the Skilled Nursing including compliance information.
This morning, I caught some reporting on the Biden Administration’s plan to issue an executive order, a rather large order, that will include several provisions related to jobs and long-term care. Recall in recent articles on staffing on this site, I’ve noted that the Biden Administration and CMS are working on promulgating rules under Medicare … Read more
AI or Artificial Intelligence has been in the news a lot over the past few months. ChatGPT is the program that I’ve seen the most about. Elon Musk has come forward warning of the advance of AI and its implications for societies. I’ve seen story after story about how AI has the potential to be … Read more
Each Friday (hopefully so), I will take a specific topic that has been in the news or been directly posed to me by a colleague or a reader and do a bit of a deep dive feature. This week it’s the future of nursing or more directly, nurses in senior housing and long-term care. As … Read more
Despite significant delays due to COVID, Phase 3 requirements of the “mega rule” are now in effect and one of the most unique elements for SNFs is the Ethics and Compliance requirement – 483.25. A good primer on the requirement is attached here. I have highlighted some key points relative to this post. SNF Compliance … Read more
I pay close attention to economic trends and to the health care industry in general, as the same are applicable. One trend I’m watching quite closely is business consolidation and mergers/affiliations. In the general economy, a lot of consolidation is occurring post-pandemic. Restaurants are closing outlets (Red Lobster, Krispy Kreme, Burger King, etc.), retail outlets … Read more
‘Tis the season for CMS to release updated payment and program rules for providers under Medicare. In the past week or so, we’ve seen releases for Hospice and Inpatient Rehab Facilities. A couple of days ago, CMS released the proposed 2024 rules/updates for SNFs (skilled nursing). The fact sheet for the release is available here: … Read more
Following up from my last post regarding staffing and litigation risks, this post concentrates on “what we know” and “what we can control”. For example, what we know is that there simply is not enough staff (clinical and even non-clinical) to fill a provider’s vacant positions. The world in general knows this and the press, … Read more
One quarter (three months and change) down and PDPM appears to be mostly positive for SNFs. CMS is reporting a higher average per diem payment level than under RUGs. Despite some added coding complexity, paperwork burdens are down for providers (two MDS’ during most stays now vs. many under RUGs). Anecdotally, the industry is seeing … Read more
About ten days ago, I wrote a piece regarding the negative impacts providers can expect (and receive) when quality of care and service combined with vigilance on compliance are not primary in and across their organizations. All too often, I hear companies and organizations that I work with, say they are committed to quality but by deeds, the evidence is … Read more
A number of interesting information drops occurred this past week or so reminding me that from time to time, the obvious isn’t always so obvious. The seniors housing and skilled care industry today is going through a rocky patch. A solid half of the SNF industry is severely hurting or struggling mightily due to Med … Read more