Author: Blake Caldwell

New York, NY—The healthcare industry is embroiled in controversy following emerging reports of what is being labeled as “patient dumping,” a practice where hospitals and skilled nursing facilities are accused of transferring patients to one another to avoid costly or difficult cases. This scandal has prompted a fierce blame game between the two sides, each pointing fingers at the other for ethical breaches and failure to provide adequate care to those in need. Amid heightened scrutiny, recent investigations have uncovered that an alarming number of patients, particularly those who are homeless, mentally ill, or possessing complex medical needs, are being…

New York, NY—The growing reliance on temp agencies to staff nursing homes has become a critical issue, spotlighting the urgent need for more sustainable, long-term staffing solutions in the healthcare sector. Industry insiders and experts are calling for a comprehensive reevaluation of staffing practices, advocating for innovative alternatives that promise not only to enhance the quality of care for residents but also to foster a more stable working environment for healthcare professionals. The over-dependence on temp agencies to fill staffing gaps has been linked to several negative outcomes, including decreased continuity of care, increased costs, and a higher likelihood of…

New York, NY—The nation’s skilled nursing facilities are ramping up a pivotal lobbying effort in Washington, aiming to sway lawmakers amid growing concerns over funding, staffing shortages, and regulatory challenges that could reshape the future of long-term care in America. In the heart of this lobbying blitz, industry leaders, spearheaded by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), are pressing for significant policy reforms. These reforms include increased Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, relaxed regulatory standards, and broader support for workforce development to address the chronic staffing issues plaguing the sector. A recent report released by the AHCA underscores the dire…

New York, NY—As the healthcare industry grapples with an unprecedented workforce crisis, especially within the nursing home sector, a new trend is emerging: moving away from traditional staffing agencies towards a model aimed at building a sustainable workforce. While this shift may appear as a beacon of progress and innovation on the surface, it raises alarming concerns about the potential detrimental effects on nursing homes and their ability to provide consistent, quality care to residents. The pivot from reliance on staffing agencies, which have historically played a critical role in filling immediate labor gaps in nursing homes, to investing in…

New York, NY—Amid a growing chorus of concern over the care provided in skilled nursing facilities across the nation, advocates and family members are calling for increased oversight to ensure the well-being of some of society’s most vulnerable members. This move comes against a background of alarming statistics, including a report by the National Ombudsman Reporting System which found that complaints regarding abuse, neglect, and exploitation in nursing homes rose by 33% from 2011 to 2021. The heart of the issue lies in the distressing stories that have surfaced, portraying a systemic failure to provide adequate care to residents. Critics…

New York, NY—In an industry historically reliant on staffing agencies to fill gaps in care, nursing homes across the nation are strategizing to break free from what many now view as a vicious cycle. As the demand for care workers has skyrocketed, dependency on these agencies has spiked nursing home costs and, in some cases, compromised the quality of care. One glaring statistic highlights the urgency of the matter: A recent study found that nursing homes utilizing agency staff reported a 15% higher rate of safety incidents compared to facilities that primarily employ in-house staff. This statistic is a wake-up…

New York, NY—Amidst the spiraling healthcare costs and rising concerns over fraud in the Medicare system, therapy services have recently found themselves under intense scrutiny. Federal investigators are now probing deep into Medicare billing practices for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to discern whether these are genuine necessities for patient care or elaborate schemes designed to siphon off millions in taxpayer dollars. This investigative spotlight shines at a time when Medicare fraud cases are burgeoning, with the government-reported recoveries from such fraud totaling approximately $2.6 billion in 2021 alone—a figure that starkly highlights the financial magnitude of the issue…

New York, NY—In recent years, the shift towards an agency model in nursing home staffing has promised flexibility and immediate labor solutions. However, this model has begun to unravel, revealing a disheartening impact: the emotional cost, not just to the resident’s quality of care but to the very fabric of caregiving communities. The agency model, while a boon for short-term labor shortages, is casting long shadows over the nursing home sector. It operates by supplying nursing homes with temporary staff, often at a premium price. This strategy, intended as a stopgap, has become a quasi-permanent solution for many facilities struggling…

New York, NY—In the ongoing battle against healthcare fraud, the False Claims Act (FCA) stands as a formidable weapon, with whistleblowers at the fore citing its powerful financial incentives and protective measures. A significant surge in its deployment against skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) marks a concerning trend for the industry, highlighting the rising scrutiny and legal pressures these institutions face. Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers, often insiders with access to confidential information, can file lawsuits on behalf of the government against entities committing fraud, with the potential to receive a portion of any recovered funds. This legal framework has…

New York, NY—In the world of nursing homes, the wellbeing of residents is often directly tied to the morale and unity of the staff. However, recent investigations reveal a troubling trend: the breakdown of team spirit within these institutions, primarily due to the practices of staffing agencies. This deterioration not only compromises the quality of care but also signals a brewing crisis in employee retention and satisfaction. A recent survey highlighted a staggering statistic: nearly 70% of nursing home administrators report that reliance on staffing agencies, rather than permanent staff members, significantly disrupts team cohesion. This disruption, in turn, has…