The official version of Appendix PP is now posted. Please see the links below for the more information.
https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/document/revisions-state-operations-manual-som-appendix-pp-1
The official version of Appendix PP is now posted. Please see the links below for the more information.
https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/document/revisions-state-operations-manual-som-appendix-pp-1
CMS has confirmed the revisions to Appendix PP effective 4/28/25 are on track for implementation for Medicaid and Medicare Certified Nursing Facilities.
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for details located at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-safety-standards/quality-safety-oversight-general-information/policy-memos/policy-memos-states-and-cms-locations/long-term-care-ltc-facility-acute-respiratory-illness-reporting-requirements.
SLCR recently had an opportunity to meet with Livanta, the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) that receives the appeals of non-coverage (SNF ABN and NOMNC) required in F582. A couple items to note- the required forms are updated periodically- so please make sure the most recent forms are being used. The most recent forms and instructions for their use can be found here: Beneficiary Notices Initiative (BNI) | CMS. Changes were made in November 2024 and additional changes will be effective beginning January 1, 2025.
SLCR has heard recent concerns from facilities and residents regarding Medicare Advantage beneficiaries being denied services or delays in services. If you hear these concerns, please share with Medicare Advantage residents and/or families that the NOMNC has been modified to reflect regulations providing enrollees additional fast-track appeal rights when they untimely request an appeal to the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO), or still wish to appeal after they end services on or before the planned termination date (See: CMS-4205-F, p. 30827).
These notices should be provided timely to beneficiaries whose Medicare covered services will end to inform them of their rights and protections related to financial liability and appeals under the Fee-for-Service Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA) programs.
Additionally, facilities and beneficiaries can find contact information for Missouri’s BFCC-QIO, Livanta, here: https://www.livantaqio.cms.gov/en/states/missouri.
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for details located.
Memorandum Summary
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-safety-standards/quality-safety-oversight-general-information/policy-memos-states/enhanced-barrier-precautions-nursing-homes-prevent-spread-multidrug-resistant-organisms-mdros.
If you have questions regarding implementing EBP in your long-term care facility, please contact the Healthcare-Associated Infections/ Antimicrobial Resistance program at 573-751-6113.
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/surveycertificationgeninfo/policy-and-memos-states/1519889558/posting-nursing-home-ownership/operatorship-affiliation-data-nursing-home-care-compare-website-and.
CMS released the two memos below this past week. Homes may begin to change their policies and procedures and implement current CDC guidance.
QSO-20-38-NH Testing Expired
QSO-20-39-NH Visitation REVISED
Here is the link to the current CDC guidance for nursing homes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html#create.
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/surveycertificationgeninfo/policy-and-memos-states/guidance-expiration-covid-19-public-health-emergency-phe.
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/surveycertificationgeninfo/policy-and-memos-states/strengthened-enhanced-enforcement-infection-control-deficiencies-and-quality-improvement-activities.
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/surveycertificationgeninfo/policy-and-memos-states/guidance-and-survey-process-reviewing-home-dialysis-services-nursing-home.
Memorandum Summary
Quality in Focus: CMS developed a series of short (10–15 minutes), Quality in Focus interactive videos tailored for specific provider types. The series aims to increase the quality of care for people with Medicare and Medicaid by reducing the deficiencies most commonly cited during the CMS survey process, such as infection control and accident prevention.
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/surveycertificationgeninfo/policy-and-memos-states/provider-and-supplier-compliance-education-through-quality-focus-qif-trainings.
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/surveycertificationgeninfo/policy-and-memos-states/updates-nursing-home-care-compare-website-and-five-star-quality-rating-system-adjusting-quality.
Memorandum Summary
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/importance-timely-use-covid-19-therapeutics.
Memorandum Summary
Please view the latest CMS memo regarding revisions to SSF program at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/revised-guidance-staff-vaccination-requirements.
Please view the latest CMS memo regarding revisions to SSF program at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/revisions-special-focus-facility-sff-program.
As noted in the CMS memo QSO-22-19-NH Revised Long-Term Care Surveyor Guidance: Revisions to Surveyor Guidance for Phases 2 & 3, Arbitration Agreement Requirements, Investigating Complaints & Facility Reported Incidents, and the Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide, CMS revised the guidance in Chapter 5 and related exhibits of the State Operations Manual (SOM) to strengthen the oversight of nursing home complaints and Facility Reported Incidents (FRIs). Beginning October 24, 2022, nursing homes will be required to submit the following information:
FRI – Initial Report
When reporting FRIs to the state agency, nursing homes must provide as much information as possible, to the best of its knowledge at the time of submission of the report, so the state agency can initiate action necessary to oversee the protection of nursing home residents. Initial reports must be reported immediately but not later than two hours if the allegation is abuse or the incident resulted in serious bodily injury, or not later than 24 hours if the allegation is not abuse or the incident did not result in serious bodily injury. “Serious bodily injury” means an injury involving extreme physical pain; involving substantial risk of death; involving protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; requiring medical intervention such as surgery, hospitalization, or physical rehabilitation; or an injury resulting from criminal sexual abuse.
Information to include in the initial report:
Follow-up Investigation Report
Within five business days of the incident, the facility must provide in its report sufficient information to describe the results of the investigation, and indicate any corrective actions taken if the allegation was verified. It is important that the facility provide as much information as possible, to the best of its knowledge at the time of submission of the report. The facility should include any updates to information provided in the initial report and the following additional information, which should include, but are not limited to, the following:
Please note: We are in the process of developing forms for initial reporting and for follow-up reporting that all Missouri LTC homes (including state-licensed only) will be able to utilize for FRIs. We will release these forms at a later date and will also schedule a webinar to discuss this information. Please review the memo in its entirety and reach out to your regional office with any questions.
CMS has issued updated visitation guidance to reflect the new CDC guidance, released September 23, related to face coverings and masks. The safest practice is for residents and visitors to wear facing coverings or masks, however, the facility could choose not to require visitors to wear face coverings or masks while in the facility if the nursing home’s county COVID-19 community transmission is not high, except during an outbreak.
Please review the memo in its entirety at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-39-nh-revised.pdf.
Effective date: The effective dates for all requirements is October 24, 2022. The implementation date for the Chapter 5 revised guidance will be announced at a later date. CMS will establish a target implementation date for State Agencies (SAs) depending on the status of the PHE, and/or unique circumstances occurring in the SAs. The Implementation date will be communicated through the listserv.
SLCR will be providing a high-level overview of the requirements at the annual Provider Meetings; however, we encourage all homes to view the QSEP trainings below developed by CMS prior to the Provider Meetings. The trainings are titled:
Please see the full memo for complete details at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/revised-long-term-care-surveyor-guidance-revisions-surveyor-guidance-phases-2-3-arbitration.
Please see the full memo at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/surveys-compliance-omnibus-covid-19-health-care-staff-vaccination-requirements.
Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Specific Providers
Please see the full memo at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/update-covid-19-emergency-declaration-blanket-waivers-specific-providers.
Please see the full memo at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/interim-final-rule-ifc-cms-3401-ifc-additional-policy-and-regulatory-revisions-response-covid-19-0.
Please see the full memo at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/nursing-home-visitation-covid-19-revised.
This information will be added to the Care Compare website in January 2022 and used in the Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System in July 2022.
Please see the full memo for details at https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/nursing-home-staff-turnover-and-weekend-staffing-levels.