“More than 50 coronavirus wrongful death suits have been filed against long-term care facilities,” by Danielle Brown,McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “Dozens of nursing homes and long-term care providers across the country are already being targeted with coronavirus-related lawsuits, a new report shows. … A legal expert in early September warned that providers could see a wave of coronavirus-related lawsuits after the sector saw a rise in cases in July.” LTC Comment:   The legal vultures are circling. The same elderlaw attorneys who trap affluent clients in nursing homes on Medicaid often work both ends by litigating against LTC providers when the inevitable poor care
Read More

“Home healthcare outpaces skilled nursing in its post-COVID-19 rebound,” by Kimberly Marselas,McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Though home healthcare rolls were devastated in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has rebounded more quickly than its skilled nursing peers, according to a new analysis from Avalere Health. Home health has actually gained on its pre-pandemic discharge levels, according to a six-month review of Medicare fee-for-service claims. The sector had a 4.6% greater discharge volume in June 2020 versus June 2019, indicating home settings may have been the preferred post-acute option as many hospitals reinstated elective procedures. The declines in both
Read More

“Medicare Advantage plans banking on non-medical home care needs,” by Kimberly Marselas,McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “The open enrollment season starting next month will allow participants to choose from 730 plans providing supplemental benefits, such as adult day health services, caregiver support, massage and home-based palliative care. Another 920 plans will offer benefits for people living with chronic conditions so that they can better manage their disease. Those types of support include anything from meal delivery to pest control services. About 500 plans will target participants with diagnoses such as diabetes and congestive heart failure, offering lower copayments and new benefits
Read More

“CMS touts lower premiums and benefits of Medicare Advantage plans,” by Susan Morse,Healthcare Finance Quote: “Average 2021 premiums for Medicare Advantage plans are expected to decline 34.2% from 2017 while plan choice, benefits, and enrollment continue to increase, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said ahead of the annual Medicare Open Enrollment starting on October 15. This will make the Medicare Advantage average monthly premium the lowest in 14 years, since 2007. The Medicare Advantage average monthly plan premium is expected to be an estimated $21 in 2021, down from an average of $23.63 in 2020.” LTC Comment (from
Read More

“Nation’s first COVID-19 criminal charges against nursing home operators filed in Massachusetts,” by James M. Berklan,McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “Two leaders of a veterans home where 76 patients died due to the coronavirus were criminally charged Friday morning, according to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. … A grand jury indicted former Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh, 50, and former Medical Director Dr. David Clinton, 71, based on their decision to merge two dementia care units, combining COVID-19 positive residents with others who were asymptomatic. Healey said short staffing factored into some of their decision-making process.”   LTC Comment (from
Read More