FDA, CMS, CDC and OIG COVID-19 updates for 1st 2 weeks of June 2020

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled NursingLeave a Comment

CDC updated the following COVID-19 guidance during the 1st two (2) weeks of June: Using Telehealth to Expand Access to Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic Updated Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers NHSN LTCF Guide to Using the COVID-19 Module The OIG (Office of Inspector General) posted … Read More

Residents’ right to retain federal economic incentive payments

Mary MadisonClient News, TrainingLeave a Comment

In case you missed it, CMS issued this Press Release on Thursday, June 11, 2020 (bolding and italics added by me): “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is aware of allegations that some nursing homes are seizing residents economic impact payments (or “Stimulus Checks”) authorized under the CARES … Read More

[On-demand training] Cohorting: Effective management of residents and staff

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled Nursing2 Comments

If you missed the June 11, 2020 third session of the National Nursing Home Training series, the recording and presentation slides are now available. This session is 58 minutes and 15 seconds in length and provided great information on cohorting residents and staff – both necessary to contain COVID-19 in … Read More

PDPM Boosts Medicare Rate 9% Early in COVID-19 Crisis: ‘RUGS-IV Would Have Been a Fiscal Disaster’

Ken BellSkilled NursingLeave a Comment

Skilled nursing facilities received a 9% Medicare reimbursement boost during the early days of the COVID-19 crisis under the new Patient-Driven Patient Model, a new analysis has determined — providing a crucial fiscal lifeline that may not have existed under the structure that PDPM replaced. “RUG-IV would have been a … Read More

[On-demand webinar] Telehealth: What it is and what it’s not during the COVID-19 PHE

Ken BellClient News, TrainingLeave a Comment

Telehealth or Telecommunications? What is permissible during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency? Due to COVID-19, the skilled nursing industry has had to cram years of telehealth information in the last several weeks. This has left many struggling to understand telehealth principles such as… Definitions and descriptions The regulatory and … Read More