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CDC Issues Updated Infection Prevention Guidance for Long-Term Care Settings

Policy Snapshot
May 21, 2020

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance for infection prevention in long-term care facilities. The tiered recommendations address nursing homes in different phases of COVID-19 response. They added a recommendation to assign an individual to manage a facility’s  infection control program and a new requirement for nursing homes to report to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). The guidance further recommends that facilities create a plan for testing residents and health care personnel for SARS-CoV-2.

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Nursing Home Quality Initiative: Updated MDS 3.0 Item Sets

Policy Snapshot
Skilled Nursing Care, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Payment, Practitioners
May 21, 2020

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 item sets (version 1.17.2 (ZIP)) and related technical data specifications. These changes support the calculation of Patient Driven Payment Model payment codes on Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) assessments when not combined with the 5-day skilled nursing facility prospective payment system assessment. Visit the ...

COVID-19 Blanket Swing Bed Waiver for Addressing Barriers to Nursing Home Placement for Hospitalized Individuals

Policy Snapshot
Skilled Nursing Care, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Practitioners
May 21, 2020

A new MLN Matters Special Edition Article SE20018 on COVID-19 Blanket Swing Bed Waiver for Addressing Barriers to Nursing Home Placement for Hospitalized Individuals (PDF) is available. Learn answers to key questions about providing skilled nursing level care for hospitalized patients who do not need acute level care but cannot find nursing home placement during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency....

CMS Office Hours Call on COVID-19: May 26, 5:00 to 6:00 PM ET

Policy Snapshot
May 21, 2020

Hospitals, health systems, and providers: Ask the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) questions about its temporary actions that empower you to:

  • Increase hospital capacity – CMS Hospitals Without Walls
  • Rapidly expand the health care workforce
  • Put patients over paperwork
  • Promote telehealth

Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages you to join via audio webcast. Or you can call 833-614-0820/ passcode 8977438....

CMS COVID-19 Nursing Home Call: May 27, 4:30 to 5:00 PM ET

Policy Snapshot
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Practitioners
May 21, 2020

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance. Leaders in the field also share best practices. There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages you to join via audio webcast. Or you can call 833-614-0820/passcode 1243649.

For more information:

CMS Issues Nursing Homes Best Practices Toolkit to Combat COVID-19

Policy Snapshot
COVID-19, Skilled Nursing Care, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)
May 14, 2020

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new ...

Letter from CMS Administrator to Nursing Home Workers

Policy Snapshot
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Practitioners
May 14, 2020

Last week, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma penned a letter to nursing home management and staff. Administrator Verma shared her gratitude for the unwavering dedication and commitment of the management and staff in keeping...

Updates to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) to Correct the Adjustment Process

Policy Snapshot
Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Practitioners
May 14, 2020

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new MLN Matters Article MM11727 on Updates to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) to Correct the Adjustment Process (PDF). Learn about corrections to processing of adjustments and other billing issues for SNF PDPM claims....

Urge Your Members of Congress to Support a Nursing Home Medical Director Registry

Policy Snapshot
Practitioners
May 8, 2020

Nursing homes are on the front lines of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for a large proportion of cases and deaths. Unfortunately, there is no public listing of nursing home medical directors, impeding the ability of public health agencies to assist them with preparation and response.

Urge your members of Congress to sign on to a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma asking her to create a nursing home registry of medical directors.

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CMS Issues Interim Final Rule on SNF Reporting COVID-19 Cases of Residents and Staff

Policy Snapshot
COVID-19, Skilled Nursing Care, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Practitioners, Resident
May 8, 2020

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule updating requirements for notification of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases among residents and staff in nursing homes.

CMS is requiring nursing homes to report COVID-19 facility data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to residents, their representatives, and families of residents in...