Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
Happy Hump Day! Yesterday I wrote about the OIG’s (Department of Health and Human Services) report and focus on CMS’ oversight of state survey agencies. The impetus behind this focus no doubt comes from the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging’s investigation into nursing home survey activities at the state level. The report is available … Read more
Happy Hump Day! Wow, winter has really settled in for most of the U.S. – cold and snow as far south as Arkansas and cold, almost everywhere. Next week looks a bit more promising, weather-wise. Staffing for all providers is a major issue. For rural facilities, it can be the difference between staying afloat or closing. I … Read more
Two articles in my email caught my attention to start the week. Both have to do with SNF closure risks, one regarding rural facilities and the other regarding staffing challenges. Interesting enough, both cross the same issues for closure, approached however, somewhat differently. I’ve written about this subject for years now yet, attention has only become acute … Read more
While mergers and acquisitions are generally down, affiliations, closings in some cases, and sponsorship changes in non-profit senior living and care are at a record pace. Back in July, I wrote about the disconnect between acquisitions and the merger/affiliation changes occurring among non-profits. That post is here: https://rhislop3.com/2023/07/24/senior-living-and-care-ma-two-worlds/ A news release from Ziegler Investment Banking, … Read more
Every year, the accounting firm of Clifton Larson Allen (CLA) produces an industry trends report based on accumulated cost report data. The report provides a good snapshot of the nursing home industry, nationwide, with insights on regions and states. The report is available here: 38th-snf-cost-comparison-and-industry-trends-report As I’ve written on numerous posts on this site, the … Read more
No other segment of senior living/senior care got rocked as much by the pandemic as skilled nursing. Frankly, the industry had challenges from labor shortages and lagging reimbursement entering the pandemic (2020). The pandemic didn’t just accentuate these issues, it blew them up in terms of magnitude (impact) while adding supply chain issues, inflation, and … Read more
As foretold in the SNF PPS Final Rule, CMS was going to fine tune the MDS/RAI manual prior to October 1 when the new 2024 Fiscal Year starts. Generally, data such as this update comes much closer, sometimes even after the October 1 implementation date. Providers get a break for a change. Initial proposed changes … Read more
I’ve been in and around healthcare for three plus decades and a concept that has always been front of mind for me is care coordination. This is something that is so important for a patient’s well-being in terms of improved outcomes and satisfaction. It is also a real opportunity for cost improvement. Unfortunately, I’ve seen … 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
I know I sound redundant but clearly, the message is still not permeating through the industry (except for readers here). The Department of Justice and the OIG for the Department of Health are scrutinizing SNFs, their therapy billings, and the use of therapy contractors. Why? It is all due to a known and now routinely … Read more