Each week we will highlight three trending news articles shared from the long-term care industry. From nursing homes to skilled nursing facilities, this weekly post will catch you up to speed on what's new.

Providers applaud expected revenue increase for MA plans

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s plan to create more options for the Medicare Advantage program through payment changes is being encouraged by the nation’s largest nursing home association.

“Our members have long supported the Medicare Advantage program and our hope is that these new policies will help to improve enrollment in this program,” said Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living.

The agency in early February announced it is forecasting a nearly 8% increase in revenue for Medicare Advantage plans next year after releasing its 2023 advance notice. The agency expects proposed policy changes, including many targeted at improving health equity, will result in a 7.98% revenue increase for Medicare Advantage organizations. The hope is that through the policy changes it will “create more choices and provide affordable options for consumers that meet their unique health needs,” CMS said.

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Completely Out of Touch: Biden’s Minimum Staffing Proposal Comes as Skilled Nursing Reels From Labor Crisis

Leaders in the nursing home space are asking an important question as they weigh the Biden administration's recent proposal to set minimum staffing standards: Why now?

Since the White House released its fact sheet on Feb. 28 outlining the proposed reforms, little is known about what the staffing requirement might look like in its final form. Will Harris, senior advisor at the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), said during a call that the government agency understands staffing increases “won’t happen overnight” as they look to take a holistic approach to improving the long-term sustainability of the nursing home workforce.

Still, many in the industry are scratching their heads at the timing of this proposal, given how it’s going to be paid for and where workers are going to come from – at a time when prospective candidates are in short supply.

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Repeat booster jabs for residents? COVID-19 immunity in nursing homes wanes quickly, large study shows

A study across hundreds of nursing homes in the United Kingdom indicates that repeated COVID-19 booster shots may be needed to offer ongoing protection from COVID-19 to vulnerable nursing home residents. Subsequent booster shots reestablished strong immunity, but this protection was likely to fade just as it had after the initial series of shots.

The results not only demonstrate the value of booster vaccinations, but that there may be an ongoing need for additional shots, according to Laura Shallcross Ph.D., of University College London in the United Kingdom.

“Our data suggests that repeated booster jabs may be needed to protect elderly care home residents in future, as immunity wanes relatively quickly in this group following vaccination,” Shallcross said.

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Thank you for reading this week's edition of Weekly Long-Term Care News and Updates, from BASE10. We hope you enjoyed learning about the industry's latest news and findings. To be notified for next week's post, please subscribe to our email newsletter down below.

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About BASE10 Genetics, Inc.
Located in Chicago, BASE10 is a healthcare software technology company whose platform creates turnkey disease management programs that can be deployed at scale for nursing home operators, pharmacies, payors, and self-funded employers.