News
Category: Federal News
Welcome to the Federal News category. These news items pertain to aging services national policies and programs.
CMS Proposes to Revise Mandatory Remedies Policy
On November 8, 2017 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to revise its policies regarding mandatory immediate imposition of federal remedies, and there are positive changes for care centers.
MDS Expert at Your Fingertips
On September 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Are you up to speed on the MDS? One of the benefits of being a member of LeadingAge National is access to Judy Wilhilde Brandt, our MDS-expert consultant.
Section 202/PRACs Can Now Leverage Private Capitol to Preserve Affordable Housing
On September 10, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
Effective immediately, HUD providers of Section 202 Housing for the Elderly with Project Rental Assistance Contracts (202/PRACs) can begin to leverage private capital to preserve their affordable housing over the long-term.
Congress Returns with Packed Agenda
On September 10, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Congress returned from recess on Sept. 9 with a long to-do list, which LeadingAge national has unpacked to help you stay up-to-date on key issues affecting our field.
PDPM: What Exactly Are NTAs and Why Are They So Important?
On September 10, 2019 by Sue Boyd
NTAs. You’re hearing a lot about them as part of the new Payment-Drive Payment Model that goes into effect Oct. 1. What are NTAs? Non-therapy ancillaries (NTAs) are a long list of diagnostic categories and clinical support services needed to care for residents in a skilled nursing facility that may be more medically complex or demonstrate a higher acuity. Under PDPM, 50 conditions and extensive services are considered for NTA classification.
CMS Proposal Affects Some, Not All, Phase 3 Requirements; Provider Preparation Still Needed
On September 3, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
As we have earlier reported, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed rule that would lighten some existing regulatory burdens for nursing facilities and delay implementation of certain Phase 3 requirements. Recently some LeadingAge MN members have asked whether the proposed rule – if it becomes final – would delay all Phase 3 requirements, and the answer is no.
More Hurdles to Prove Housing Discrimination
On August 28, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
LeadingAge will submit comments to a new proposed rule from the U.S Housing & Urban Affairs Department (HUD) that would make drastic changes to the current process for asserting Disparate Impact.
CMS Final Version to MDS 3.0 and Allowable ICD Codes Available
On August 28, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) last week posted the FINAL version (V3.00.1) of the MDS 3.0 Data Specifications for Skilled Nursing Facilities, which take effect Oct. 1. They also released the file of the allowable ICD codes in item I0020B of the MDS.
CMS to Publish Corrected FY2020 SNF VBP Reports and Host Aug. 27 Call
On August 28, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) notified Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) on Aug. 22 that there was a calculation error in the FY2016 baseline period performance data that excluded certain SNF stays erroneously. CMS will be issuing corrected FY2020 Performance Score Reports no later than Aug. 31.
New Rule Could Reduce Immigrants’ Use of Long-Term Care Services
On August 20, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The National Council on Aging has denounced a new inadmissibility rule that could force immigrant seniors to choose between paying for long-term care support and losing their immigration status.
HCBS Settings Rule Guidance Provides Path Forward for New Construction Settings
On August 13, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
In last week’s Advantage, we featured a story on new guidance for heightened scrutiny review of newly-constructed presumptively institutional settings under the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings rule. This week we are sharing additional detail from the Bulletin on how new construction settings required to undergo heightened scrutiny can qualify for Medicaid (waiver) reimbursement and providing examples of reimbursement pathways for new construction settings.
RAD for PRAC Implementation Guidance Delayed
On August 13, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
The release of guidance implementing Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) for PRAC, expected earlier this spring or summer, is still delayed and may not be issued until early fall.
CMS Updates Recently-Revised Appendix Q
On August 13, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued additional updates to the State Operations Manual Appendix Q, including guidance to surveyors on citing immediate jeopardy.
Don’t Forget: Change from KEPRO to Livanta Requires Action by Medicare Providers
On August 6, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
As we reported earlier this summer, Livanta replaced KEPRO as the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care (BFCC) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Minnesota effective June 8, 2019. The purpose of the BFCC-QIO is to conduct quality of care reviews, beneficiary complaint reviews, and discharge and termination of service appeals in various Medicare provider settings. Livanta requires a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) from providers. To complete a new MOA and read frequently asked questions (FAQs), click here.
Have an Hour Free on Thursday? Join CMS for its Nursing Facility Open Door Forum
On August 6, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will share information on fiscal year 2020 skilled nursing facility payment policies during a Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care Open Door Forum this Thursday, Aug. 8, at 1 p.m.
GAO Presses for Better Oversight of VA Nursing Homes
On August 6, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
As the numbers of veterans who will need nursing home care is anticipated to increase by 16% between 2017 and 2022, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is calling for stricter oversight of their care – particularly in state veterans’ homes.
Spending Caps Deal Allows Funding Bills to Move
On August 6, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The White House and Congress reached a deal to raise the federal budget caps for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
Aug. 27 Call: Understand Your SNF VBP Program Performance Score Report
On August 6, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Do you understand the Value-Based Purchasing Performance Score Card? Are you interested in results from payment year one? Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a call on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. for a high-level summary of the program and a review of the FY2019 program year.
New Guidance on Heightened Scrutiny Review of Newly-Constructed Presumptively Institutional Settings
On August 6, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided clarifications to questions about the heightened scrutiny process for newly-constructed presumptively institutional settings. The information can be found in the Informational Bulletin issued last week.
NSPIRE Voluntary Demonstration Open Registration Announced
On July 30, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that property owners/agents and Public Housing Authorities across the country can pre-register one or more of their properties to be considered for selection in the demonstration to develop and test a new format for conducting the physical inspection of HUD-subsidized properties.
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