Center for Medicare Advocacy

Advancing Access to Medicare and Healthcare

Skilled Nursing Facility

Study Finds Lower Mortality Rates in Unionized New York State Nursing Facilities

An analysis of nursing facilities in New York State finds that, compared to facilities without labor unions, facilities with unions had: A 30% lower morality rate from COVID-19A 42% “relative decrease in COVID-19 infection rates” among … [Read more...] about Study Finds Lower Mortality Rates in Unionized New York State Nursing Facilities

What’s New in Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Facilities?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the focused infection control survey protocol.[1] Now, for the first time, CMS requires surveyors to review the care actually provided to a sample of residents (and among a sample of … [Read more...] about What’s New in Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Facilities?

Center for Medicare Advocacy Toolkit: How to Obtain an Additional 100 Days of Medicare Coverage in a Skilled Nursing Facility During the COVID Public Health Emergency

As the Public Health Emergency (PHE) continues and the number of Medicare beneficiaries impacted by the PHE grows, the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) has received an increasing number of requests for guidance on expanded Medicare coverage … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Toolkit: How to Obtain an Additional 100 Days of Medicare Coverage in a Skilled Nursing Facility During the COVID Public Health Emergency

CMS Restarts Survey and Enforcement Activities at Nursing Facilities

On August 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is resuming routine inspections at health care providers, including nursing facilities, and that it has updated its enforcement guidance for nursing … [Read more...] about CMS Restarts Survey and Enforcement Activities at Nursing Facilities

Congress Gives COVID Relief Money to Nursing Facilities, Regardless of Fraud Lawsuits, Poor Quality of Care

The federal government has given money to nursing facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic without regard to their violations of federal law and federal care standards. Although facilities are required to spend money awarded under the Coronavirus Aid … [Read more...] about Congress Gives COVID Relief Money to Nursing Facilities, Regardless of Fraud Lawsuits, Poor Quality of Care

Responding to CMS Announcement on Nursing Home Enforcement – Infection Control Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: QCOR Data

On August 14, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has cited many infection control deficiencies in nursing facilities at the immediate jeopardy level and that it has imposed civil money penalties as a … [Read more...] about Responding to CMS Announcement on Nursing Home Enforcement – Infection Control Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: QCOR Data

Nursing Facilities Owned By Private Equity Firms Have Higher Rates of Covid Infections than Other Facilities

Recent analyses of private equity firms find that facilities taken over by private equity firms provide poorer care to residents and have lower nurse staffing levels, while admitting more residents and increasing their lengths of stay.[1]  As a … [Read more...] about Nursing Facilities Owned By Private Equity Firms Have Higher Rates of Covid Infections than Other Facilities