“‘Big, big changes’ coming to nursing home regulation thanks to pandemic’s destruction, Grabowski says,” by Liza Berger, McKnight’s LTC News   Quote: “One of the biggest problems the pandemic has revealed is the lack of investment in staff, from poor pay to lack of personal protective equipment and testing, he said. Nursing homes need to provide hazard pay, a living wage and non-punitive sick leave to staff, among other benefits. He noted that the death count among staff has surpassed that of logging workers and commercial fishermen — the two most dangerous professions in the United States before the
Read More

  “28% Growth in Medicare Advantage Plans Led By Senior Housing and Care Providers,” by Tim Mullaney, Senior Housing News   Quote: “An increasing number of senior living and care providers are launching Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, pursuing potential clinical and financial benefits despite new challenges posed by Covid-19. In 2020, 76 Medicare Advantage special needs plans (SNPs) were directly owned by senior housing and care providers, including skilled nursing and assisted living companies. For plan year 2021, that number increased to 98 plans, according to newly released data from ATI Advisory.”     LTC Comment: Medicaid-dependent SNFs running MA
Read More

  “70 percent of long-term care claims begin with home care,” by Joe Jancsurak, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Seventy percent of 2019 long-term care insurance policy claimants received initial benefit payments for care at home, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. That 70% represents a 52% increase over 2014 claims data as reported by the AALTCI. And the percentage likely will increase. ‘COVID-19 has made individuals increasingly desirous of the ability to remain at home, and more insurance professionals are focusing on the home care benefits available,’ AALTCI Director Jesse Slome said.”     LTC Comment:  
Read More