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Updated SNF QRP User’s Manual Now Available
On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Quality Measures Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 4.0 is now available. Changes go into effect on Oct. 1.
CMS releases draft version of Nursing Home MDS
On September 15, 2022 by Erin Huppert
A draft version of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Nursing Home Comprehensive Item has been released ahead of the October 2023 implementation date. The sheer volume of proposed updates means that operators and their software providers have their work cut out for them to be ready by Oct. 1, 2023.
CMS COVID-19 Survey Tools
On September 6, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
CMS Researchers Enter Nursing Homes to Establish a Federal Staffing Standard
On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to conduct a four-part analysis in pursuit of establishing a federal minimum staffing standard in nursing homes. As part of their study, researchers will visit 75 nursing homes across the country over the next three months though none are planned for Minnesota sites. A national staffing plan would be incorporated into skilled nursing proposed rules published next spring.
New Season, Same Guidance: Refresher on Visitation, Activities, and Group Gatherings Guidance
On August 18, 2022 by Kari Everson
Guidance for activities, visitation, and large group gatherings has not changed significantly. However, as the summer is winding down, long-term care settings that host gatherings are seeking a guidance refresher for these events.
Updates from CMS on Staffing Standards Study in Nursing Homes
On August 11, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that, due to the significant response to the Request for Information on establishing a minimum staffing standard, it will conclude the staffing study in December. Initially, we expected the study to be part of the recently-issued final 2023 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System rule.
CMS Releases Final SNF PPS Rule; Includes Cuts Related to Impact of PDPM
On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual final rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers.
HHS Announces Proposed Rule to Strengthen Nondiscrimination in Health Care
On July 18, 2022 by LeadingAge
On July 25, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise regulations relating to Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (Section 1557), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics), in covered health programs or activities.
Weekend Staffing and Staff Turnover Data Added to Five-Star Quality Ratings
On July 14, 2022 by Julie Apold
The July 2022 Care Compare refresh includes the addition of nursing home staff turnover rates and weekend nurse staffing levels to the Five-Star Quality Ratings. The refresh also consists of a change to how staffing scores can impact a nursing home's Overall Five-Star Quality Rating.
Reviewing the COVID-19 Data Tracker
On July 14, 2022 by Kari Everson
Providers across the state must utilize data per regulatory requirements to help determine specific COVID-19 protocols, yet many data sources from different regulators can confuse the process.
CMS Releases Nursing Home Survey Guidance for Phase 3 Requirements
On June 30, 2022 by LeadingAge
On June 29, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released long-awaited updates to the nursing home surveyor guidance found in Appendix PP to the State Operations Manual.
CMS Relaxes Frequency of Inspection for Vaccination Requirement Compliance
On June 16, 2022 by LeadingAge
This week, CMS announced that survey oversight of the staff vaccination mandate for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers will continue to be performed during initial and recertification surveys but will now only be performed in response to complaints alleging non-compliance with this requirement, not all complaint surveys. This news comes after CMS determined that 95% of nearly 12,000 providers and suppliers surveyed by states have been in substantial compliance with this requirement.
With New Booster Guidance, What Does “Up-to-Date” Mean for LTC
On June 9, 2022 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations for an additional COVID-19 vaccination booster (fourth shot) on May 24. The updates provide a recommendation for a second booster for those people 12 and older if they are moderately to severely immunocompromised and individuals 50 years of age and older.
Nursing Homes Action Alert: Write to CMS to Oppose Proposed Payment Cuts
On May 19, 2022 by LeadingAge
We encourage care centers to participate in a letter-writing campaign targeted at payment cuts proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Act Now! Advocacy Essential to Ensure Access to Care for Minnesota’s Seniors
On May 19, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
It’s crunch time on the advocacy front! At the state level, we are in the final days of the legislative session and funding for aging services in still in play. Without our encouragement, funding could easily be left out of a final budget agreement.
CMS Plans Site Visits to Assess HCBS Settings Rule Compliance
On May 10, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been notified by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of their plans to conduct site visits of several provider settings this summer to review their compliance with the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule. Site visits will occur the week of July 25.
Reminder: Certain CMS COVID Waivers Expire May 7
On May 5, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
Several of the CMS blanket COVID-19 waivers are expiring on May 7.
In a memorandum released last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will terminate several temporary emergency declaration blanket waivers that have provided nursing facilities and other provider types with flexibilities designed to support the COVID response.
Expedited Paid Feeding Assistant Curriculum is Available for Free until June 6!
On April 28, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The expedited Paid Feeding Assistant training allowed by CMS throughout the pandemic will end in June.
Last year, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) modified the minimum training requirement for Paid Feeding Assistants from eight hours to one hour under a waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In an April 7 Memorandum, CMS announced it will terminate the waiver on June 6.
CMS Updates COVID-19 Test Reporting Requirements
On April 21, 2022 by Kari Everson
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its test reporting guidance, making reporting negative or inconclusive COVID-19 test results optional for nursing homes.
CMS Issues Updated Vaccine Mandate Survey Guidance
On April 7, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted updated interpretive guidance concerning the staff vaccination mandate, with a revision date of April 5. We encourage care centers to review QSO 22-07-ALL (Revised) and the changes to Attachment A.