White House Releases Sweeping Nursing Home Reform Proposals, Takes Aim at Private Equity Ownership

By Amy Stulick The Biden administration on Monday unveiled a sweeping set of proposed nursing home reforms, taking particular aim at private equity ownership. While private-pay senior living providers have expressed some concern about the potential for greater federal regulation in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the White House has focused its attention first […]

HHS: Assisted Living Providers to Receive $140M in Phase 3 Provider Relief Expansion

Assisted living providers stand to receive $140 million in the latest round of Covid-19 relief for health care providers from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). That is according to an HHS spokesperson, replying to a request for comment from Senior Housing News on Wednesday’s announcement that the agency is expanding its Phase […]

Assisted Living to Benefit as HHS Increases Relief Fund Distribution to $24 Billion

The federal government on Wednesday announced that it is expanding the third phase of Covid-19 relief for health care providers, including assisted living. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is boosting its Phase 3 funding total from $20 billion to $24 billion, after concluding that the initial amount did not sufficiently cover lost […]

HHS Sending Second Wave of Covid-19 Rapid Tests to Assisted Living Providers

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is ramping up its Covid-19 testing support network, and senior living is included. To date, HHS sent out 541,000 Covid-19 rapid antigen tests to 5,500 assisted living facilities across the country with a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) certificate of waiver. Another 2.6 million tests are being […]

Affordability Is Driving Seniors to These 5 States

Retiring seniors are no longer basing their housing decisions mainly on warmer climates, and senior housing developers and operators should take notice. A report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Aging revealed that five states saw 50% spikes in their over-65 population between 2007 and 2017. Those states are: […]

HHS Launches New Aging Brain Health, Alzheimer’s Guide

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a new set of materials to engage older adults and senior living personnel in learning about brain health, particularly how brain health is affected as people age. The Brain Health Resource includes the basics about Alzheimer’s disease and managing possible risk factors.  “Although no activity or […]

HHS Clarifies Visitation Rights for Gay Nursing Home Residents

Gay nursing home residents will have the same visitation rights to their partners as Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in hospitals, according to updated guidance from the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The guidance set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a reminder of current regulations that describe the […]

Senior Care Company Targeted in Fraud Case Must Pay Feds $2.7 Million

A Chattanooga, Tenn.-based nursing home manager has agreed to pay $2.7 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations, announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) last week.  Grace Healthcare LLC and its affiliate Grace Ancillary Services LLC allegedly violated the False Claims Act, according to DOJ, for knowingly submitting claims for medically unnecessary rehabilitation therapy.  The […]