News

LeadingAge recently released guidance for coding Risk for Pressure Ulcers in section M0100 and M0150 of the MDS, which includes an overview of each section, key definitions, an overview of risk factors and steps for assessment.  

The updated skilled nursing facility Provider Preview Reports from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are available for review. Members have until May 30 to review their performance data prior to it being displayed on the Nursing Home Compare site in July. 

The U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department is proposing changes to the national physical inspection process. Because HUD’s in-person listening sessions on this topic filled so quickly, D. J. Lavoy, Director of the Office of the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC), has agreed to provide a special opportunity for LeadingAge members.  

The next submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) is fast approaching. MDS data for Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2018 must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on May 15.  

Changes are coming to care centers regarding hazardous medications disposals. To help your organization be ready and compliant, make plans now to participate in a Hazardous Medications – Delivery to Disposal webinar on May 16 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 

The deadline for submission of Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for the reporting period Jan. 1–March 31 is May 15. Timely and accurate submission of PBJ data is critical, because CMS uses the data to calculate staffing measures in Nursing Home Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System. The following rules apply: 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) late last week issued a Proposed Rule that provides details about the upcoming implementation of the new Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) that will take effect on Oct. 1, 2019. CMS will follow up with a final rule on the Oct. 1 rates around Aug. 1.  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator vowed this week to “push beyond the status quo” in its oversight of nursing homes. “[W’e’re] continuously looking for ways to improve our approach to nursing home safety and quality. We must never be complacent – we should always push ahead to continuously improve our efforts,” CMS Administrator Seem Verma wrote in a wide-ranging blog post published April 15.  

The Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, which provides a six-month extension for the Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) spousal impoverishment protections, has passed both bodies of Congress and now heads to the White House where it is expected to be signed into law. 

U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) is co-sponsoring legislation to eliminate the rigid provisions of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training lock-out and grant the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) greater flexibility in reinstating provider CNA training programs.  

A new toolkit from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides an inside look on how Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) select skilled nursing partners. The report indicates preferred partners are those that consistently provide high-quality care, dedicate staffers to care coordination and demonstrate a willingness to reform service delivery. 

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) review and correct reports are now available. The reports have been enhanced to include the following features: 

The Administration for Community Living leads our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month each May. The 2019 theme, Connect, Create, Contribute, encourages older adults and their communities to: 

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Rating system that include several changes to the Quality Measure (QM) Domain. Changes to the performance thresholds and methodology in the QM Domain may result in many nursing homes experiencing a decline in their ratings until further improvements are put in place within their organizations. Key QM Domain changes include: 

Responding to the Congressional Telehealth Caucus's request for information, LeadingAge recommended several changes in Medicare policy to expand access to telehealth services and remote monitoring, improve patient outcomes, and control health care costs.  

The U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for new Section 202 funds. There is $50 million for the construction and ongoing rental subsidy of Section 202 homes. HUD expects to make approximately 30 awards. The deadline to apply is Aug. 28.  

A bill to fix the antiquated and onerous problem of Medicare observation days has been introduced in Congress. The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act would require all time a Medicare beneficiary spends in a hospital to be counted toward the three-day stay requirement. 

LeadingAge has finalized its policy priorities for 2019, which includes a robust agenda on affordable housing. Funding priorities in this area include: 

The U.S Department of Labor (DOL) last week published a proposed rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that would clarify whether certain kinds of perks, benefits or other miscellaneous items must be included in the regular rate of pay. 

The Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance last week to frequently asked questions on the implementation of activities associated with the final Home and Community-Based Services Settings Rule. While there is some good news in the guidance for adult day services providers, there are additional questions being raised by providers on the lack of clarification in several areas – including those looking to build and/or expand in the next few years.