NTV learned how inflation is specifically impacting nursing homes and their residents. We heard from the Executive Director of Cambridge Court Assisted Living in Kearney who said they were having to raise their rates for room and board to keep up with inflation. A year later, they're finally able to lower some costs. “Overall, room and board rate went down this year. It’s not huge but it did not go up which I think is a big take away here, we didn’t raise it. Just because the rates were high and lets be honest, there’s nothing cheap about senior care,” said Cheryl White.
Approved legislation and budgeting during the recently concluded session of the Minnesota Legislature should impact northwest Minnesota. Other funding coming out of the session includes $300 million in aid to nursing homes across the state as part of a $2.6 billion capital investment package. Rep. Deb Kiel, R-Crookston, said the funding is important, though there is still a big need for people to work in nursing homes.
Due to the shortage of staff in geriatric care, many places in homes remain unoccupied. The Federal Association of Private Nursing Homes is therefore warning of a massive wave of bankruptcies. The main reason is the lack of staff: if positions remain vacant, home places must also remain empty. But with an occupancy rate of less than 80 percent, a home can hardly be operated profitably.
The companies are combining to create “a leader in end-to-end home-based health solutions." The combined company will have more than 16,500 employees and 674 care centers nationally and will be headquartered in Bannockburn, Ill. with substantial offices in Louisiana and Nashville, according to a press release. In March, former Tivity CEO Richard Ashworth became CEO of Amedisys.
Palomar Health and Palomar Health Medical Group (PHMG) are teaming up with Archer Health, Inc. to improve home health care for patients with chronic conditions. The partnership between Palomar, PHMG and will provide patients a seamless transition from the hospital to personalized care in their own homes, which can improve their overall health outcomes and quality of life. The Archer Health leadership team has provided personalized health care to patients in Southern California for more than 70 years.
Congress extended many telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program through December 31, 2024, via the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also extended behavioral telehealth and prescribing flexibilities through November 11, 2023, with some opioid flexibilities through May 11, 2024, pending the issuance of new final rules.