Healthcare Law Blog

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

On September 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a long-awaited proposal to establish new federal minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities. [1] Nurse Aide (NA) HPRD (the “2.45 Nurse Aide (NA) HPRD (the “2.45 55 RN hours per resident per day (the “.55 NA HPRD”).

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Nursing Homes Nurses Medicaid Medicaid 98

Hall Render

OCTOBER 10, 2023

As nursing homes look for funds to allow them to improve care and train nursing home staff, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released QSO-23-23-NH (“CMS Memo”), which reopens and recasts the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (“CMPRP”).

Nursing Homes 40

Nursing Homes Nurses Medicaid Medicaid 40

Hall Render

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

The COVID data reporting through the National Healthcare Safety Network (“NHSN”) was first required of nursing homes in May 2020 through an interim final rule. Due to the nature of interim final rules, this requirement would have expired in May 2023.

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Nursing Homes Nurses Medicaid Medicaid 40

Provider Trust

JULY 17, 2023

In our recent webinar, ProviderTrust’s Chief Compliance Officer, Donna Thiel, shared her expertise and valuable feedback from the 2023 HCCA Compliance Institute. OIG pointed to the increased instances of patient neglect abuse as well as the need for oversight within nursing homes.

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Compliance Nursing Homes Nurses Fraud 52

Hall Render

MAY 2, 2023

For this alert, “nursing homes” refers to skilled nursing facilities (often known as “SNFs”). In 2020, CMS revised the nursing home infection control regulations at 42 CFR § 483.80 Additionally, this information is now publicly available on CMS’s COVID Nursing Home Data Website.

Nursing Homes 40

Nursing Homes Public Health Nurses COVID-19 40

MedTrainer

JANUARY 10, 2024

It’s that time of the year to check your records for 2023 compliance deficiencies and set your organization up for success in 2024. New HD Compliance Regulations New in 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners must complete eight hours of training in accordance with the DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion Act.

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Compliance Fraud HIPAA Compliance Officers 94

Hall Render

JULY 5, 2023

When a patient is discharged from acute care, it is important that the acute care provider deliver accurate and appropriate patient information related to a patient’s treatment and condition in order to decrease the risk of readmission or an adverse event at the skilled nursing providers and home health agencies.

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Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals Medicaid 40

Hall Render

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

On September 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released a proposed rule (“Proposed Rule”) that calls for minimum staffing standards in long-term care facilities (“nursing homes”). The Proposed Rule was published online on September 6, 2023. HPRD for RNs and 2.45 HPRD for RNs and 2.45

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Nursing Homes Nurses Medicaid Medicaid 40

Hall Render

APRIL 11, 2022

Last week, CMS proposed increases in Medicare rates for certain health care services, and Florida’s governor signed legislation that ensures patients of hospitals and health care facilities are allowed to have visitors. In other news, a large committee of experts issued a report on the nursing home industry that was less than flattering.

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Medicare Medicare Nursing Homes Nurses 40

Healthcare IT Today

AUGUST 16, 2022

On the revenue side, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have indicated plans to cut reimbursements for home-based healthcare services by 4.2% in 2023, a move the president of one major industry group said puts “the stability of home health care…at risk.” He keeps me here.

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Nursing Homes Nurses Licensing Medicaid 110

Healthcare Law Blog

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

According to the Congressional Research Service, which analyzed data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) National Health Expenditure Accounts (“NHEA”) on the personal health expenditures for LTSS by payer, in 2021, an estimated $467.4 As individuals continue to live longer beyond retirement and the U.S.

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Nursing Homes Medicaid Medicaid Medicare 52

HIPAA & Health IT

MAY 19, 2023

As the PHE is now expired as of May 11, 2023, it is understandable why providers consider interoperability to be (essentially) a requirement for those facilities to which they refer patients.

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Nursing Homes Nurses Public Health Medicaid 52

HIPAA & Health IT

MAY 19, 2023

As the PHE is now expired as of May 11, 2023, it is understandable why providers consider interoperability to be (essentially) a requirement for those facilities to which they refer patients.

Nursing Homes 52

Nursing Homes Nurses Public Health Medicaid 52

Hall Render

NOVEMBER 18, 2022

On November 2, 2022, CMS announced revisions to the Calendar Year 2023 Payment Policies that impact Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare and Medicaid Provider Enrollment Policies (“CY 2023 PFS Final Rule”).

Nurses 40

Nurses Nursing Homes Medicare Medicare 40

Med Law Blog

MAY 1, 2023

In March 2023, the House Ways and Means Committee hosted an investigative hearing on “private equity’s expanded role in the US healthcare system”. Howell, Constantine Yannelis and Abhinav Gupta positing that their research shows that “PE ownership increases short term mortality of Medicare patients by 10%, in nursing homes”.

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Nursing Homes Malpractice Hospitals Nurses 52

Healthcare Law Blog

AUGUST 25, 2023

On August 21, 2023, the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) announced updates to the Medicaid overpayment self-disclosure program, which now includes an abbreviated process for reporting and explaining overpayments that are considered routine or transactional in nature and have been already voided and adjusted.

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Overpayments Overpayment Medicaid Medicaid 52

Hall Render

MAY 11, 2023

As skilled nursing facilities work and provide health care services after the May 11, 2023, end of the Public Health Emergency, questions and concerns about visitation at these facilities will likely continue to arise.

Nurses 40

Nurses COVID-19 COVID-19 Vaccine Nursing Homes 40

Hall Render

MAY 11, 2023

According to a Trella Health report , Medicare fee-for-service admissions at SNFs increased 5.8% The South Carolina House of Representatives unanimously voted to repeal CON regulations for most health care facilities (excluding nursing homes). However, SNF admissions still have not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

Nursing Homes 40

Nursing Homes Hospitals Nurses Medicare 40

MedTrainer

MAY 4, 2023

There are plenty of compliance implications for the end of the Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023 , and an assessment is a great place to start. CMS Burden Reduction Final Rule (84 FR 51732) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) permanently extended changes made to the Burden Reduction Final Rule.

Public Health 52

Public Health Compliance COVID-19 COVID-19 Vaccine 52

Healthcare Law Blog

JUNE 22, 2023

Drug Discount Card Program (Effective October 1, 2023) The Act establishes a Drug Discount Card Program to be made available to all residents of Connecticut. Reducing Prescription Drug Costs (Effective October 1, 2023) The Act has updated the process for listing drugs that are expensive to the state.

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Hospitals Nursing Homes Health Insurance Public Health 52

Hall Render

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) issued new Industry Segment-Specific Compliance Program Guidance For Nursing Facilities (“Nursing Facility ICPG”) for nursing home members of the health care compliance community. On November 20, 2024, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) for the U.S.

Nurses 40

Nurses Compliance Compliance Officers Medicare 40

Hall Render

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

On February 7, 2023, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that it recovered over $2.2 DOJ filed claims against multiple nursing homes and their management corporation for providing services that the DOJ alleged were grossly below the standard of care. While this is less than half of the previous year’s recovery of $5.6

Nursing Homes 40

Nursing Homes Fraud Medicaid Medicaid 40

Hall Render

JULY 12, 2023

If a deemed hospice fails to meet the Medicare requirements or shows continued condition-level noncompliance, deemed status is generally removed and oversight is placed under the SA. Selected hospices either successfully complete the SFP program or are terminated from the Medicare program. of hospice providers reported data.

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Medicare Medicare Nursing Homes Fraud 40

Hall Render

MAY 20, 2022

HHS Announces $15M in Funding For Behavioral Healthcare In Nursing Homes. OIG: 25% of Medicare hospital patients experienced harm pre-pandemic. State Actions to Address Nursing Home Staffing During COVID-19. Alabama to Get Inpatient Mental Health Facility in Morgan County in 2023. CALIFORNIA. Christus St.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals 40

Hall Render

DECEMBER 11, 2024

OIGs new Industry Segment-Specific Compliance Program Guidance For Nursing Facilities (Nursing Facility ICPG) for nursing home members of the health care compliance community emphasizes the importance of staff screening and exclusion checks. Information about the LEIE may be found on the OIGs Exclusions page.

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Compliance Licensing Nurses Medicaid 40

Healthcare Law Blog

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

On February 15, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule that would require nursing homes enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid to disclose new information about their ownership and management structures. Finally, CMS proposed a number of other definitions (e.g.,

Nursing Homes 52

Nursing Homes Nurses Medicaid Medicaid 52

Hall Render

FEBRUARY 25, 2022

40% of Nursing Home Residents Haven’t Received COVID-19 Boosters, Analysis Finds. No COVID-19 boosters for 70% of nursing home staffs, AARP says. The 55 hospitals penalized by Medicare 8 years straight over patient complications. Contract Nurse Agencies Are Making Big Money in the Age of COVID-19.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals 40

Hall Render

APRIL 29, 2022

About 20K nursing home staff now have vaccine medical exemptions. CMS’ Brooks-LaSure defends 2023 pay bump for hospitals that groups charge is too small. Hospitals sue HHS over Medicare billing calculation. More than 400 nursing home closures projected for 2022: report. Family nurse practitioners.

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COVID-19 US Department of Health and Human Services Nursing Homes Nurses 40

Hall Render

FEBRUARY 21, 2023

These proposed regulations follow through on the Biden Administration’s commitment made in the 2022 State of the Union to implement the ACA’s requirements regarding transparency in corporate ownership of nursing homes, including by collecting and publicly reporting more robust corporate ownership and operating data.

Nurses 40

Nurses Medicaid Medicaid Medicare 40

Hall Render

MARCH 28, 2023

On January 30, 2023, the Biden Administration announced the COVID public health emergency (“PHE”) will expire and end on May 11, 2023. There are several key areas of focus for SNFs to assess what will change and what will not change as May 11, 2023 approaches. When the PHE ends, the hotlines will be shut down.

Public Health 40

Public Health Nurses Nursing Homes COVID-19 40

Hall Render

APRIL 22, 2022

GAO investigating private equity ownership of nursing homes. HHS Secretary Outlines FY 2023 Mental Health Investments at Senate Hearing. payment increase in 2023. This nursing home chain reported the highest COVID death rate. San Francisco’s Laguna Honda Hospital Loses Medicaid, Medicare Funding.

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COVID-19 Nursing Homes US Department of Health and Human Services Nurses 40

Hall Render

MARCH 25, 2022

Hospital stays for nursing home residents down nearly 9%, federal data shows. Huntsville Hospital to launch new nurse training program. Alabama hospitals, nursing homes split $80 million in ARPA funds. New apprenticeship program to address nursing shortage in Alabama. increase for 2023 Medicaid budget.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 US Department of Health and Human Services Nursing Homes Nurses 40

Hall Render

JANUARY 5, 2024

Wade; expected to remain big issue in 2024 races Most nursing home residents in Arizona still haven’t gotten their COVID-19 booster COVID-19 hospitalizations are up in Arizona and around the U.S. Retina Group of Washington reports massive data breach A trifecta of viruses in the D.C.

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COVID-19 Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals 40

AIHC

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Lessons Learned about Consequences & Incentives Submitted by the AIHC Education Department Introduction The Office of Inspector General has released the new General Compliance Program Guidance or “GCPG” in late 2023. Add a Fishbone A very effective tool is the fishbone diagram.

Compliance 52

Compliance US Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Hospitals 52

AIHC

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Lessons Learned about Consequences & Incentives Submitted by the AIHC Education Department Introduction The Office of Inspector General has released the new General Compliance Program Guidance or “GCPG” in late 2023. Add a Fishbone A very effective tool is the fishbone diagram.

Compliance 52

Compliance US Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Hospitals 52

Hall Render

MAY 10, 2024

Million CALIFORNIA California hospital dismisses CEO California physician pleads guilty to $2.5M million expansion ‘Very, very unusual.’ Million CALIFORNIA California hospital dismisses CEO California physician pleads guilty to $2.5M million expansion ‘Very, very unusual.’ million expansion ‘Very, very unusual.’

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Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals Medicaid 40

Hall Render

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

’ and highlights community partnerships in newly released Annual Report MARYLAND Baltimore jury awards $1.5M

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