Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
Happy Monday! As summer begins to wind down, I figured an update on senior living marketing (rates, incentives, referrals, resident movement) was in order. The data I have comes primarily from NIC (National Investment Center) and Bild and Company (a senior living marketing firm) and it covers the first half of the year. Occupancy gains … Read more
The healthcare sector has experienced another quarter of record-high distress levels, as indicated by the volume of bankruptcy filings, with the senior living and care sector at the forefront. This bankruptcy trend for senior living remains alarming. In January, I took a look at 2023 bankruptcy levels, the worse year in decades. That post is … Read more
A number of weeks back I looked at what was known and could be divined about Kamala Harris’ health policy. Today, with the election getting close (less than 70 days out), it’s an opportune time to look at Donald Trump’s likely health policy positions. The Harris post is available here: https://rhislop3.com/2024/07/23/kamala-harris-likely-health-policy/ Both candidates have shared … Read more
According to a Wall Street Journal article from August 4, Medicare Advantage plans are using home nurse visits to identify possible or questionable disease states/conditions (so called, phantom diseases) via screenings. These diagnoses then turn into what appears to be, possible events of fraud via additional reimbursement tied to these new-found conditions. Exclusive | The … Read more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) produced its Hospice 2025 Final Rule (last week), including a 2.9% increase in per diem payments plus new quality reporting measures. The full text of the final rule is available here: Hospice Final Rule 2025 The increase signifies an estimated rise of $790 million in total hospice … Read more
Under the Final 2025 (PPS) rule released last Wednesday, nursing homes are set to receive a 4.2% pay increase in Medicare Part A. Additionally, the facilities will encounter a stricter fines system, with civil monetary penalties being applicable in more situations. The Final Rule is available here: SNF Final Rule 2025 In April I wrote … Read more
According to a recent JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) research letter private equity firms invested $505 billion in healthcare acquisitions from 2018 to 2023. These financial infusions can enhance resources for care. However, these firms have occasionally sold the land and buildings of acquired hospitals, using the proceeds to repay investors and leaving … Read more
Not too long ago, I wrote a post regarding federal legislative activity seeking to impose regulation on Private Equity firms investing in senior living organizations (SNFs, home health, hospice, assisted living). That post is available here: https://rhislop3.com/2024/06/13/private-equity-investment-in-nursing-home-sector-generates-regulatory-scrutiny/ That post focused on a bill known as the Corporate Crimes Against Health Care Act of 2024 aims … Read more
As of the latest demographic data from Pew Research, 62 million people in the U.S. are age 65 or older Number of people 100 and older is growing in US and around the world | Pew Research Center Presently, there are approximately 7,500 licensed geriatricians in the U.S., or 1 per every 8,267 seniors. Despite … Read more
Developing a culture of transparency that promotes and sustains disclosure (speaking up) can yield advantages beyond merely decreasing misconduct. When employees feel empowered to speak up, they are more inclined to report issues related to safety, care, and to contribute service improvement suggestions, among other things. My firm, H2 Healthcare, has a robust compliance practice. … Read more