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This week on the HealthCap Weekly Wrap Podcast, we’re diving into the latest developments shaping senior living communities. From new CMS audits of MDS data and an OIG evaluation of medical directors to the rising costs of liability claims highlighted in the Liberty Mutual Senior Care Claims Study, we break down what these changes mean for providers. We also spotlight a simple yet powerful communication strategy from the CALTCM blog that helps teams stay aligned, and we wrap up with key clinical updates—including a CDC report on shifting norovirus strains and a study from the Medical Journal of Australia on smartphone-activated volunteer responders improving cardiac arrest survival.
New SNF audits ‘tip of the iceberg’ for measure validation, payment consequences — CMS is launching a SNF Validation Program to verify MDS data used in QRP/VBP, with a potential 2% annual payment update reduction for nonresponse to audit requests.
OIG Launches Evaluation of Nursing Home Medical Directors — The OIG is examining how communities engage medical directors by assessing PBJ-reported hours, required duties, and oversight, with a report anticipated in 2026.
Senior care insurance costs double over a decade with steepest risks for SNFs — Liability claim costs have doubled in the past decade, with skilled nursing communities facing the greatest financial exposure.
2025 Senior Care Claims Study (Liberty Mutual) — A benchmark analysis of senior care claims over 12 years showing falls drive volume while pressure ulcers, abuse, and elopement lead to higher-severity, higher-cost claims.
Coordinated Care Between Providers in Nursing Homes: A Simple Shift Can Make a Big Difference — Dr. Ashkan Javaheri describes a low-lift sign-out process—brief joint calls and a shared tracking sheet—to align providers and reduce mixed messages for residents and families.
Increasing Predominance of Norovirus GII.17 over GII.4, United States, 2022–2025 — CDC data show GII.17 has overtaken GII.4 in U.S. outbreaks and the season is starting earlier than in prior years.
Smartphone-activated volunteer responders and survival to discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Victoria, 2018–23 — This observational study links activation of trained volunteer responders to improved survival to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.