Industry News
Healthcare-related and company news of interest.
We continuously strive to innovate and share relevant information with our partners in health as it becomes available. To learn more about our efforts to support facilities and clinicians, please see below. We’re always seeking partners who’ve dedicated their careers to serving people in need and building a more vibrant care community; please contact us for more information.
New Resource for Better Survey Results
(CMS.gov)
Check out CMS’s new Quality in Focus interactive video series. The series of 10–15 minute videos are tailored to provider types and aim to reduce the deficiencies most commonly cited during the CMS survey process, like infection control and accident prevention. Reducing these common deficiencies increases the quality of care for people with Medicare and Medicaid.
Learn to: Understand surveyor evaluation criteria, recognize deficiencies, and incorporate solutions into your facility’s standards of care.
Click here for immediate access and select Quality in Focus.
Minimum Wage for Healthcare Workers
(SHRM)
California: Last October, Governor Newsom signed SB 525, which enacted a multitiered statewide minimum wage schedule for health care workers. Then, on May 31st, he signed Senate Bill (SB) 828 , which delays the start date of the minimum wage statute by a month, due to a significant budget shortfall.
Although the law was set to take effect June 1, the legislature only proposed a potential delay on May 20, which was quickly moved through the legislature to the governor, and the increases would take place on July 1 not June 1.
Concerns About Finances Costing Employers Billions
Concerns about finances aren’t just affecting employees; employers are also suffering from lost hours and money as well as recruiting and retention woes. A recent Bank of America report indicated that fewer than half of US workers feel financially well, 60% feel stress and anxiety and 53% feel their paycheck are not keeping up with inflation. While Employers estimate that 30% of their workforce has an excellent financial situation, only 12% of employees would describe their condition that way. Financial stress is costing US employers $183 Billion in lost productivity.
DOL Issues Final Rule on Independent Contractors: Now Let the Lawsuits Begin
(various sources)
A recent controversial ruling by the US Labor Department makes it harder to classify workers as Independent Contractors according to, among others, the US Chamber of Commerce.
A case in the US district of the Northern District of Georgia. While its expected business will oppose the ruling, the Georgia lawsuit was brought by individuals who said “no thanks” to government protections, instead leaning towards individual responsibility.
Consumer Resource at Medicare.gov
(source: Medicare.gov)
Healthcare Personnel and Consumers: Find and compare Medicare-certified nursing homes based on a location and compare the quality of care they provide and their staffing. While ratings don’t tell the whole story about a provider’s culture and resources, its not a bad place to start.
Click here to compare nursing homes in your state. (CO Default)
Update to Hospice Interdisciplinary Team
(source: Medicare.gov)
Marriage and Family Therapists & Mental Health Counselors: Effective January 1, 2024, MFTs and MHCs can bill Medicare independently for their services furnished for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. Medicare Part B pays MFTs and MHCs for these services at 75% of what a clinical psychologist is paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.