Supreme Court Preserves Right to Sue Public Nursing Homes
In a major win for nursing home residents and their families, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right to sue government-run nursing homes under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (FNHRA). In a 7-2 decision, the court decided these plaintiffs could seek relief in federal court. Background of the Case In 2019, the […]
Agencies That Inspect Nursing Homes Face Staffing Crisis
The Senate Special Committee on Aging has released a report exposing an understaffing problem among the survey agencies across the nation that are responsible for overseeing nursing home inspections. The staffing crises at these agencies, according to the report, have led to an increase in the number of regulatory violations and ultimately are making long-term care facilities unreasonably […]
Medicare Beneficiaries May Be Eligible for an Extra 100 days of Skilled Nursing Coverage Due to Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly devastating for nursing homes and their residents. Aside from the tragically disproportionate loss of life, care for surviving residents has been delayed or interrupted due to infection, facility lockdowns, or other health system disruptions. In such cases, Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for skilled nursing facility (SNF) coverage may be eligible […]
How Low Nursing Home Wages Are Contributing to COVID-19's Spread
CDC’s survey of some 100 nearby long-term care facilities found that staff members who worked in more than one facility and/or who worked while sick were among the leading contributors to the facilities’ vulnerability to infection.
Should You Bring Your Parent Home from the Nursing Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
With the coronavirus pandemic hitting nursing homes and assisted living facilities especially hard, families are wondering whether they should bring their parents or other loved ones home. It is a tough decision with no easy answers. Growing Cases The number of coronavirus cases in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the country continues to grow. […]
What Can You Do to Protect Your Loved One in a Nursing Home During the Pandemic?
As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, nursing home residents are among the most vulnerable to the disease. How to try to ensure that your loved one stays healthy?
Recent Changes Mean New Challenges When Applying for Long Term Care Benefits Through the VA
New rules the VA has imposed on beneficiaries make it more challenging to qualify for long-term care benefits than ever. There never used to be penalties for transferring assets and affecting eligibility; however, that has all changed. In the case of Medicaid, a net worth maximum of assets (in 2018) is $123,600 which a spouse […]
The Medicaid “Look-Back” Period and the Impact it has in Regards to Your Eligibility Determination
The terms Medicare and Medicaid are sometimes used interchangeably when, in fact, they are very different programs. Medicaid is a means-based program designed for those who have very few assets. As such, penalties are in place to avoid people from taking advantage of the system. Transfers of all amounts and reasons are heavily scrutinized by […]
