News
New Bill May Offer Additional Funding to SNFs
A new bill, The Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act, was introduced by four US Representatives this week. The intended goal is to increase wages and benefits for nursing home staff as reported by Skilled Nursing News. Representative Steven Horsford of Nevada stated they introduced this bill because “the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the…
Read MoreSNFs struggle with staffing shortages
Long-term care facilities have been battling staffing shortages from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. McKnight’s reports in the month of July another 1500 jobs were lost. Currently, there are 380,000 jobs in nursing homes. The staffing shortage has caused some facilities to lower admission rates because not enough staff is available to provide necessary…
Read MoreSNF Operators Find New Ways to Increase Census
The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the ability of skilled nursing facilities to fill beds. Skilled Nursing News reports some operators are now finding new ways to overcome this obstacle. One method operators are utilizing is specializing in certain medical fields. This is allowing them to bring in patients who are higher acuity. Operators are renovating…
Read MoreAHCA Offers Support for a Vaccine Mandate in SNFs
As COVID-19 cases increase across the nation with the spreading Delta variant, vaccine mandates are up for consideration. McKnight’s reports that the largest nursing home association is offering its support to operators that mandate the vaccine. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is willing to help skilled nursing facilities by offering guidance and tips on…
Read MoreProviders Struggle to File Reports as PRF Requirements Continue to Change
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) opened a new Provider Relief Fund (PRF) portal earlier this month. Providers are working hard to ensure all reports and data are accurately uploaded to help prevent any confusion during audits. Skilled Nursing News reports consultants and skilled nursing advocacy groups are also providing guidance to help providers…
Read MoreCMS Proposes 15% Cuts for Physical & Occupational Therapy Services
The federal government has proposed cuts for Medicare reimbursements for Part B therapy services for the upcoming year. The 2022 Medicare Physician Schedule Proposed Rule is suggesting 2% cuts. These cuts will directly affect beneficiaries who receive rehabilitation services in skilled nursing facilities. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has also proposed a 15%…
Read MoreNursing Homes Deemed the One of the “Safest Places”
The National Investment for Seniors Housing & Care has stated that skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. are one of the “safest places” for seniors. McKnight’s reports COVID-19 cases have drastically decreased in nursing homes since vaccinations began in December 2020. There has been a 98% decrease in reported cases and they account for only…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Smaller Operators
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted businesses across the globe no matter how big or small. Skilled nursing operators were no different. Now as the pandemic is slowly ending, occupancy rates in nursing homes are gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels reports Skilled Nursing News. In January 2021, all nursing homes were underperforming with occupancy rates below 80%…
Read MoreSNFs Lag Behind in Reporting Vaccination Rates to CMS
Vaccination reporting to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for skilled nursing facilities kicked off last month. McKnight’s reports data shows that only 25% of SNFs have reported vaccination rates for staff and residents as of May 30. Starting Monday, June 14 operators will be penalized for not reporting vaccination data. A spokesperson…
Read MoreImproving Workplace Culture Can Help Staffing Shortages
The skilled nursing industry has been slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic with increasing occupancy rates. However, there are still certain challenges that operators will face in the upcoming months reports Skilled Nursing News. One of the bigger issues nursing homes face will be staffing rates. Panelists at a recent Synergy Summit agreed that in…
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