News
News related to "cms"
Choose an article below to learn more about this topic.
Safe Care Addresses CMS Focus on Patient Safety
On March 23, 2023 by Julie Apold
During National Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) highlighted their renewed focus on patient safety because harm is still too common and often preventable in a blog published on its website. Progress in patient safety has significantly declined since the beginning of the pandemic erasing previous patient safety gains.
Employee Retention Credit Will Not Impact Care Center Rates
On March 16, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
Earlier this week, Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office informed LeadingAge that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will tell states with cost-based care center payment systems like Minnesota’s to treat Employee Retention Credit (ERC) funds like other federal CARES Act relief funds.
HCBS Settings Rule Implementation Deadline Is Here
On March 9, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule became effective on March 17, 2014, with transition activities underway since that time. Due to covid delays, the date for full compliance is March 17.
PHE Ending – What it means for Nursing Homes
On February 23, 2023 by Mark Schulz
Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held its routine National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call. During this call, CMS staff reiterated several vital facts about the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).
US Senators Send Letter to CMS on Minimum Staffing Standards
On February 16, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Feb. 10, US Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (DFL-PA) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (DFL-OR) sent a multi-member letter to CMS regarding upcoming regulations to create a minimum staffing standard.
CMS Proposes New NH Disclosures Rule
On February 16, 2023 by Mark Schulz
Continuing with its desire to strengthen its ability to examine nursing home ownership types, including private equity and real estate investment trusts, on Feb. 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule to gather such data.
CMS Requires SAs to Implement Investigation Timelines
On February 16, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Feb. 10, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Admin Info memoranda 23-06-NH revising guidance to Chapter 5 of the State Operations Manual (SOM). The memo’s revisions include changes to the maximum timeframes for state survey agency (SA) investigations into complaints and facility-reported incidents, and the expansion of SA’s data entry requirements into the federal ASPEN Complaints/Incidents Tracking System (ACTS).
LeadingAge Calls of Feds to “Get Real on Ratios”
On February 2, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Tuesday, LeadingAge released its “Get Real on Ratios” effort to advocate for a realistic federal minimum staffing requirement reflecting the reality of current staffing and funding crises.
Providers Should Weigh Pros and Cons of Federal Employee Retention Credit
On February 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
As more providers continue to look at applying for an Employee Retention Credit (ERC), LeadingAge, our national partner, has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document that covers issues around eligibility and applying for those funds.
National Partner LeadingAge to Host Nursing Home Network Call on Managed Care
On January 19, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge, our national partner, is hosting a special edition of the Nursing Home Network on Friday, Jan. 20, at noon CST. They are soliciting feedback on the recently-proposed rules governing Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans practices and policies.
CMS Automating Process for Sending CMP Letters
On January 19, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Jan. 17, CMS survey staff leaders notified our national partners at LeadingAge that they are automating parts of the process for creating and sending letters to nursing homes for imposed Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs). There is no underlying CMP policy change being made.
CMS Announces Two Quality and Safety Initiatives Related to Antipsychotic Medication
On January 19, 2023 by Kari Everson
On Jan. 18, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced two initiatives in quality and safety oversight memo 23-05-NH in response to the Biden-Harris administration effort to improve nursing home transparency, safety, and quality. CMS intends to conduct offsite nursing home audits to determine if the nursing home correctly coded diagnoses for residents using antipsychotic medication. CMS will change how citations under dispute are posted.
DHS to Offset Employee Retention Credits from Care Center Rates
On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently informed us that they intend to offset the revenue from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC) from care center costs based on the wages and taxes used in the ERC application. That means that some care centers will see reductions in their rate for the rate year that started this Jan. 1. DHS auditors have begun requesting detailed information from care centers that have applied for the ERC to determine these offsets.
CMS’ Nursing Home Stakeholder Call, Jan. 5
On December 22, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host the first Nursing Home Stakeholder Call of the new year on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. CST. The discussion will focus on post-acute care quality reporting programs. The event is open to the public; registration is required. After you register, you will receive zoom information.
CMS to Increase Scrutiny of Psychotropic Drug Use
On December 22, 2022 by LeadingAge
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report outlining the potentially inappropriate use of several psychotropic medications, including antipsychotics, anxiolytics, sedative-hypnotics, and anticonvulsants. As a result, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to increase its oversight of psychotropic drugs and focus more closely on certain drug classes.
COVID-19/Flu Tests Coming Soon to SNFs Throughout the State
On December 22, 2022 by Kari Everson
The Minnesota Department of Health is mailing a combination of COVID-19/Flu A&B rapid test kits to all skilled nursing facilities in the state. Kits should be arriving in the next 2-3 weeks.
Summary Resource for Assisted Living and Nursing Home Infection Reporting
On December 22, 2022 by Kari Everson
LeadingAge Minnesota has developed a new resource for members to help clarify the complex and often confusing infectious illness reporting requirements for our nursing home and assisted living members.
Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations – Available for Download
On December 15, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The thirteen edition of the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations is finally here and ready to go! It is now available for order.
CMS Reminds Entities about Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements
On December 1, 2022 by Mark Schulz
On Nov. 28, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new QSO memo to hospitals (QSO-23-04-Hospitals) on workplace violence and prevention. While there is no enforcement change for nursing homes within the new memo, one violence prevention expert noted, “[nursing homes] would do well to heed new CMS messaging. The ongoing stress of working short-staffed, and even the holidays themselves, can make healthcare facilities an even more vulnerable environment, safety experts said this week.”
Minnesota Ahead of Most States in Effort to Comply with HCBS Settings Rule
On December 1, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The federal government is giving states and providers an ultimatum to make progress on meeting the requirements of the home- and community-based services settings final rule that goes into effect in the spring. Minnesota is only one of 18 States that has already received final approval of the statewide transition plan. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Minnesota State Transition plan on Feb. 12, 2019.