CMS posted the updated Five-Star Quality Rating System Technical Users Guide (29-pages) this past week. The updated State-Level Health Inspection Cut Point Table (4-pages) was also posted. July 2020 Revisions: Temporary Changes due to COVID-19 Staffing Rating Changes: Under the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers, CMS … Read More
COVID-19 response for nursing facilities (Version 3.3) – Texas Health and Human Services
I’m providing this guidance as another resource to help LTCFs hone their response to COVID-19. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has published this document to give nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities guidance in the event a positive COVID-19 case is associated with the facility. This 78-page guide is version … Read More
Breaking news: Fiscal year 2021 payment and policy changes for Medicare SNFs final rule issued
“On July 31, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule [CMS-1737-F] for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 that updates the Medicare payment rates and the value-based purchasing program for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). CMS is publishing this final rule consistent with the legal requirements to update Medicare … Read More
Nursing Home Compare quarterly refresh with SNF Quality Reporting Program data
The July 2020 Nursing Home Compare refresh (last update was July 29, 2020), including quality measure results based on SNF QRP data submitted to CMS, is now available. For this refresh SNF QRP assessment-based measures performance scores will be based upon data submitted to CMS between Q4 2018 – Q3 … Read More
COVID-19 advocates guide to beneficiary-related Medicare changes
In case you’re looking for a comprehensive guide that explains Medicare changes during the COVID-19 pandemic from a beneficiary perspective, look no further than COVID-19: An Advocates Guide to Beneficiary-Related Medicare Changes. You’ll also find that it is a great, quick guide for healthcare providers as well. This 35-page guide was compiled by … Read More