Articles and Blogs

CMS has published a proposed regulation that would limit the ability of institutional pharmacies to offer pharmacist consultation services to facilities.  CMS believes that relationships between nursing homes and pharmacy suppliers could result in “recommendations that conflict with the best interests of nursing home residents.” The proposed regulation would require facilities to hire independent pharmacists to... READ MORE

Yesterday, CMS sent a new transmittal to the state survey agencies on the use of feeding tubes in nursing homes. In short, F321 has been combined into F322 and according the CMS the changes were made to provide nursing home surveyors with guidance to determine compliance with use of feeding tubes by nursing homes. ... READ MORE

As Mr. Lyman pointed out last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) now requires private employers to post a Notice of Employee Rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).  A recent New York Times article on this new requirement discusses an upcoming decision by the NLRB that is expected to address unionization... READ MORE

CMS recently published a Survey & Certification Memorandum (S&C:11-35-NH) detailing progress in the implementation of Section 6121 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Section 6121 of the ACA mandates enhanced nurse aide training in nursing homes.  The enhanced training focuses on two areas: 1) how to care for residents with dementia, and 2) how... READ MORE

Earlier this week, we highlighted the implementation by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of enrollment revalidations and screening categories, and which categories CMS places certain long-term care providers. It is important for providers and suppliers to understand what each screening category (limited, moderate, or high) entails and be aware of any events... READ MORE

While Congress was able to present the President with a compromised solution to cut Federal spending and raise the Government’s debt ceiling earlier this month, all long-term care providers should anticipate future reimbursement changes.  Under the current law, the Budget Control Act of 2011t , Medicare and Medicaid are unchanged. However, the Act requires for... READ MORE

As record-breaking temperatures scorch the Midwest, long-term care providers are reminded to evaluate their emergency preparation plans. Proper planning can mitigate a situation from a potential disaster to a mere inconvenience. CMS provides a checklist, Emergency Preparedness for Every Emergency, for providers to use to evaluate their current emergency plans. Federal regulations at 42... READ MORE

Effective August 1, 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is implementing two (2) significant changes affecting skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and hospital swing-bed providers billing for Part A claims.  The changes include the following: 1.         Any Part A claim reporting an End of Therapy Other Medicare Required Assessment must include Occurrence... READ MORE

When the new hospice Conditions of Participation (CoPs) became effective in Decmeber of 2008 there was a provision in the CoPs stating a hospice must have an agreement with a nursing home if the hospice provides services in the nursing home.  While it was a standard business practice for hospices to have agreements with nursing homes prior... READ MORE

The Motion Picture License Corporation (MPLC) has reached an agreement with long-term care advocacy groups to exempt certain facilities from licensing fees when showing movies for residents. Under the United States Copyright Act, a “public performance” of copyrighted materials, including movies, traditionally requires a separate license.  The MPLC has reached an agreement with the... READ MORE