News

Free Nov. 18 Webinar Helps Providers Utilize the CMS 5-Star Report

On October 28, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Are you using the CMS 5-Star Report to your best advantage? Receiving a better-than-average 5-star rating has never been more important to nursing homes. These ratings are increasingly used by consumers, regulators, insurers, and other payers and provider networks to select which facilities they will consider having relationships with.

Understand the CMS 5-Star Report – Free Webinar on Nov. 18

On October 21, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Receiving a better-than-average 5-star rating has never been more important to nursing homes. Consumers, regulators, insurers, and other payers and provider networks increasingly use these ratings to determine which providers they will have relationships with.

CMS Extends Waiver Window for Facilities Using Fire Safety Evaluation System

On October 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

CMS has opened a pressure-relief valve for nursing facilities that rely upon the Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) as an alternative means to demonstrate compliance with fire safety requirements of NFPA 101®: Life Safety Code® (LSC).  This issue affects only a small number of nursing facilities in Minnesota, but we want to make sure those who may be impacted have the latest information.

Top Cited Deficiencies from Nursing Home Recertification Surveys

On October 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The information available from the CMS Quality, Certification and Oversight Reports (QCOR) database shows that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) completed 100 nursing facility recertification surveys during the federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30. There is some lag time in survey data entry, so the year-end total is likely slightly higher. Here's a sampling of the data:

CMS Updates Nursing Home Testing Guidance

On September 15, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

On Sept. 10, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated QSO-20-38-NH concerning nursing home testing to align with recently updated recommendations from the CDC.

Many Questions Remain about CMS and OSHA Vaccine Mandates

On September 15, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

As part of a broad COVID-19 Action Plan released late last week, President Biden announced new vaccine mandates for workers across the country. The plan addresses several topics relevant to aging services, including preparation for the delivery of booster shots if approved and recommended by the FDA and CDC, and efforts to build the supply of rapid COVID tests, but the most prominent aspects of the White House plan relate to mandates.

CMS Vaccine Mandate: Knowns, Unknowns and Next Steps

On August 25, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Since President Biden announced last week that CMS will develop regulations requiring all nursing homes to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their staff, LeadingAge Minnesota has been working closely with our national affiliate LeadingAge to seek additional information, better understand the directive, and advocate on behalf of our members.

New SNF Medicare Rates Take Effect on Oct. 1

On August 18, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Based on the annual SNF Payment Rule released earlier this summer, new skilled nursing facility (SNF) Medicare rates for the third year of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) take effect on Oct. 1. The Oct. 1 rates include an inflation update of 1.2% based on a formula in existing law. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended the Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program for the upcoming rate year.

CMS Modifies CMP Structure for Skilled Nursing Facilities

On August 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

CMS recently issued QSO 21-20 NH, a one-paragraph memo that rescinds a July 2017 Memo (S&C 17-37-NH) from the CMS guidance library.

In the 2017 memo, CMS instructed CMS Regional Offices to impose civil monetary penalties for past noncompliance solely on a per-instance basis.

CMS to Address Nursing Facility Payment During Aug. 5 Open Door Forum

On July 28, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will share information on fiscal year 2022 skilled nursing facility payment policies during a Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care Open Door Forum next Thursday, Aug. 5, at 1-2 p.m.

LeadingAge National Advocates for Members on CMS Vaccination Rule

On July 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

On behalf of members across the country, the LeadingAge national team has submitted comments to CMS on the recently-issued rule requiring nursing homes to offer COVID-19 vaccine to residents and staff, to educate residents and staff regarding the benefits and potential side effects of the vaccine, and to report COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics treatment information to NSHN.

Identifiers Indicating Vaccination Status

On May 12, 2021 by Kari Everson

The change in guidance allowing for increased flexibility with PPE, visitation, and testing based upon vaccination status prompted questions regarding how to quickly identify the vaccination status of residents, staff, and visitors. Many long-term care organizations discussed using bracelets, different name tags, stickers or other means of readily identifying an individual’s vaccination status.

Executive Order Removes Conflict with CDC and CMS Guidance for Long-Term Care Settings

On May 12, 2021 by Kari Everson

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published updated infection prevention and control recommendations in response to COVID-19 vaccinations, QSO 20-38, and QSO 20-39 at the end of April. Immediately after these guidance documents were posted, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) directed nursing homes to pause before following the staff PPE and dining and activities portions of the recommendations due to potential conflicts with Gov. Walz's executive order.

New CMS Rule Sets COVID Vaccine Requirements for Nursing Facilities

On May 12, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

On May 11, CMS announced an interim final rule establishing new requirements for nursing facilities. The rule requires care centers to offer COVID-19 vaccine to residents and staff, to educate residents and staff regarding the benefits and potential side effects of the vaccine, and to report COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics treatment information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

Expanded Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Long-Term Care Facilities

On April 28, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

As we reported earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued memorandum QSO-21-15-ALL providing updated guidance (Appendix Z) for all providers covered by the federal Emergency Preparedness requirements.

CDC, CMS Publish Updated Guidance for Healthcare IP&C in Response to COVID Vaccinations

On April 28, 2021 by Kari Everson

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated infection prevention and control recommendations in response to COVID-19 vaccinations yesterday. Following closely behind the CDC, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published two revised memos yesterday as well: QSO 20-38 and QSO 20-39. The QSO memos are revised with the recent CDC guidance updates.

CMS Releases Proposed Rule that Updates SNF Rates

On April 14, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an annual Proposed Rule that updates the SNF PPS rates effective October 1, 2021.  CMS will follow up with a final rule on the October 1 rates around August 1.

CMS Expands Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidelines

On April 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued memorandum QSO-21-15-ALL providing updated guidance (Appendix Z) for all providers covered by the federal Emergency Preparedness requirements. CMS is currently working on updates to the Emergency Preparedness Basic Surveyor Training Course to reflect the new changes.

CMS Ends Four Blanket Waivers and Clarifies Nursing Assistant Issue

On April 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a policy memo on April 8, announcing the termination of several 1135 waivers related to resident transfers, care plans, and assessments. CMS believes that facilities should have developed processes to comply with the standard regulatory requirements relating to these practices at this stage in the pandemic. These specific waivers, implemented because of the COVID-19 public health emergency, will end on May 10.

OIG Finds Shortcomings in CMS Use of Nursing Home Staffing Data

On March 17, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

In response to an evaluation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), CMS stated last week that it will continue working to publicly report on nurse staff turnover and tenure, as required by federal law.