On November 28, 2019, CMS implemented the role “Infection preventionist” for long term care facilities as defined in F882. This term is used for the person(s) designated by the facility to be responsible for the infection prevention and control program and requires specific, individual, detailed training, qualifications, and hourly requirements as described below: The Infection Preventionist (IP) must have primary …
The new memo outlines a performance-based funding requirement tied to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act supplemental grants for State Survey Agencies, new guidance for the limited resumption of routine survey activities and enhanced penalties for noncompliance with infection control. You can read the new memo here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-31-all.pdf
With the ever-changing landscape of how we operate our organizations, CMS continues to update and fine tune the process. Yes, stay tuned it will change tomorrow! That said, we do have some good news! CMS revealed new Blanket Waivers for LTC last week that may be helpful to you as you struggle to maintain a semblance of order! Some of …
Although reporting requirements have not been announced or finalized, the CDC’s NHSN (National Healthcare Safety Network) is working with CMS to have long-term care facilities begin reporting COVID-19 cases in their system on a scheduled basis. LTCFs eligible to report into the new COVID-19 Module include skilled nursing facilities/nursing homes, long-term care for the developmentally disabled, and assisted living facilities. …
On April 19, 2020, the Director and the Quality, Safety and Oversight Group at CMS released a memo (Ref: QSO-20-26-NH) regarding upcoming requirements for notification of confirmed COVID-19 (or COVID-19 persons under investigation) among residents and staff in nursing homes. The information is a “heads up” as the final requirements have not been made public to date. In fairness, reading …
On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation a national emergency. This bold action enables the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain requirements in Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP under Section 1135 emergency Authority. CMS may grant state and territorial Medicaid agencies a wider range of flexibilities and states may now submit Section …
Good, bad or indifferent, CMS is changing the MDS effective October 2020! Surprisingly, there will no longer be a section G in OBRA and PPS assessments and will only appear on the Optional State Assessment (OSA). There are tons of questions regarding how this will impact how we document functional status. The limited coding instructions imply we will eliminate the …
The CMS website Nursing Home Compare will take on a new look this spring! The new website “Medicare Care Compare” will standardize the eight different existing compare tools (hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis facilities, long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, physicians and hospice). There will be a transition period where you can view new tools and the existing tools before they …
Don’t be left in the dark! Be sure to access the memos from CMS (links below) to learn how the changes in the star rating and the Nursing Home Compare website could impact your operations! There is special attention being focused on Oregon nursing centers so please make yourself and your team aware of these important updates! https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Downloads/QSO-20-02-NH.pdf https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Downloads/QSO-20-01-NH.pdf
