National Center for Seniors Housing & Care released a new analysis showing CMS collects more money for penalties. The per-incident penalties increased more than eight-fold from 2016 to 2020, prior to the pandemic. CMS increased collection of per-incident penalties after updating the federal safety guidelines in 2017. The agency collected less than $5 million in total per-incident
Attorney General Maura Healey announced a $90,000 settlement with Milton HC Operating, LLC to resolve neglect allegations, resulting in death. Milton must pay $90,000 to the Long-Term Care Facility Quality Improvement Fund. The Department of Public Health uses the Fund to improve the safety and quality of care provided in long-term care facilities. The settlement
Waivers The federal government granted several waivers designed to free up hospital beds and provide uninterrupted care to seniors during the pandemic. CMS suspended improper payment-related activities between March and August 2020. It’s unclear yet how much audit activity and improper payment findings were curtailed over the last calendar year. The agency also adjusted how
Dumping and Falsifying Prosecutors in California recently brought suit against Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., the largest senior living facility operator in the United States. Brookdale gave false information to inflate their quality ratings according to California attorney general Xavier Becerra. The lawsuit against Brookdale Senior Living claims that the operator falsified staffing records in order to
Becker’s Hospital CFO Report stated that CMS will cut Medicare payments to 774 hospitals in 2021. These hospitals had the highest rates of avoidable/preventable injuries and infections. Five things to know: 1. The Hospital-Acquired Conditions Reduction Program prevents harm to patients by providing a financial incentive for hospitals to prevent hospital-acquired conditions. A hospital’s total score
Quality of Care A bipartisan group on the Senate Finance Committee conducted hearings on the nursing home industry’s deadly incompetence. Approximately 185,000 residents and caregivers in nursing homes died because of poor infection control throughout the pandemic. The hearing noted significant deficiencies in nursing home safety and emergency preparedness standards. Here is a link to the
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