Skilled Nursing News’ Post

The 4.2% Medicare increase in the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) for 2025 is under scrutiny due to concerns about inflation, workforce challenges, and compliance with federal staffing standards. Experts are calling for significant changes to address current and future care costs. According to Brian Ellsworth from Health Dimensions Group (HDG), adjustments are needed to align reimbursement with rising costs as facility operators raise salaries by 6% to 8% while Medicare reimbursement lags at 4.2%. https://buff.ly/4fQgYMq #longtermcare #healthcare

The latest article from McKnight's Long-Term Care News warns: "Expanding Medicare Advantage co-pays may leave nursing homes without cash they’ve earned." https://bit.ly/4fpz5aM At Guided Care, we specialize in ensuring your organization gets the reimbursement it deserves. Don’t let these changes impact your bottom line. Partner with #GuidedCare for tailored solutions. To learn more about how we can help: www.guidedcareco.com. #ReimbursementSolutions #MedicareAdvantage #Medicare

The bipartisan “Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act” would allow Medicare beneficiaries' hospital observation days to count toward the three-day requirement for skilled nursing care, addressing a long-standing issue. AHCA/NCAL, along with 32 other organizations, aims to ensure access to skilled nursing care post-hospitalization, regardless of stay classification. #Medicare #skillednursingcare #legislation

When looking at the 4.2% Medicare increase in the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) for 2025, some leaders in the space wonder if the rate calculated has been inadequate considering inflation, labor woes, and funds needed to meet the federal staffing mandate. Some even argue that rate increases are so far behind actual costs that a complete overhaul is needed to meet existing and future costs of care.

🏥💼 Nursing homes get a new tool for Medicare Advantage negotiations with the TEAM model! Discover how this could reshape contracting strategies and improve care quality. #MedicareAdvantage #NursingHomes #ValueBasedCare

Fiscal Year 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS 1802-F) On July 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a final rule which includes a 4.2% net increase in Medicare Part A payments to skilled nursing facilities. The final rule revises enforcement policies to impose more consistent civil monetary penalties for health and safety violations in nursing homes. Previously, CMS could not impose per-day and per-instance penalties for the same deficiency. The new rule allows both types of penalties to be used simultaneously. The goal is to ensure facilities promptly address issues and maintain long-term compliance. To no surprise, the nursing home industry has stated its disgust with the notion of being held financially accountable for failing to keep residents safe. Source: LTCCC Policy Update <info@ltccc.org>  CMS reference for this announcement: https://lnkd.in/gwiN2Q-i

CMS issued a final rule, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting that went into effect on June 21, 2024. This rule is intended to establish minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's nursing home reform initiative to ensure safe and quality care in LTC facilities. The rule also requires states to report the percent of Medicaid payments for certain Medicaid-covered institutional services that are spent on compensation for workers and support staff. The rule represents a pivotal change in LTC staffing standards and underscores a profound shift towards a holistic and person-centered care for residents. This insight by Marisol Cooke, JD, CHC will help organizations comply with these new standards.

CMS issued a final rule, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting that went into effect on June 21, 2024. This rule is intended to establish minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's nursing home reform initiative to ensure safe and quality care in LTC facilities. The rule also requires states to report the percent of Medicaid payments for certain Medicaid-covered institutional services that are spent on compensation for workers and support staff. The rule represents a pivotal change in LTC staffing standards and underscores a profound shift towards a holistic and person-centered care for residents. This insight by Marisol Cooke, JD, CHC will help organizations comply with these new standards.

CMS issued a final rule, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting that went into effect on June 21, 2024. This rule is intended to establish minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's nursing home reform initiative to ensure safe and quality care in LTC facilities. The rule also requires states to report the percent of Medicaid payments for certain Medicaid-covered institutional services that are spent on compensation for workers and support staff. The rule represents a pivotal change in LTC staffing standards and underscores a profound shift towards a holistic and person-centered care for residents. This insight by Marisol Cooke, JD, CHC will help organizations comply with these new standards.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a 4.33% increase in payments to Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, which could have an overall positive trickle-down effect on nursing homes. https://bit.ly/4gSdLw5