Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted a revised QSO-20-39-NH the afternoon of April 27, 2021.  The title of this 8-page QSO is Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19. Here’s what’s new in this QSO (look for the red ink when reviewing with your team):

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted a revised QSO-20-38-NH the afternoon of April 27, 2021.  The official title of this 11-page QSO is Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements and…… Continue reading CMS Revises QSO-20-38-NH

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The following notice was posted today (April 27, 2021) on the QIES website: The Five Star Preview Reports will be available on April 20, 2021. To access these reports, select the CASPER Reporting link located on the CMS QIES Systems for Providers page. Once in the…… Continue reading 5-Star Preview Reports and NH Care Compare Update

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS updated Appendix B – MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual on April 21, 2021 (you’ll see the date as 4/29/21 when you view the actual document).  Changes to Appendix B – April 2021 Update identify these personnel changes: “The April update of Appendix B to the RAI 3.0…… Continue reading Appendix B – RAI User’s Manual Updated

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The training materials for the SNF QRP: Achieving a Full APU webinar that took place on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, are now available under the Downloads section of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Training web page. Scroll down the above web page…… Continue reading Training Materials Available for the SNF QRP: Achieving a Full APU Webinar, March 30, 2021

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare OIG (Office of Inspector General) has added SNF reimbursement to its work plan this month. A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a nursing home that provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services such as physical, speech, and occupational therapy to beneficiaries who need assistance after hospitalization.…… Continue reading OIG Adds SNF Reimbursement to Work Plan + NH COVID-19 Challenges

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare [This reminder was mentioned during the April 15, 2021 SNF/LTC Open Door Forum however I wasn’t able to understand the email address provided verbally by the CMS individual.  I found the same message online at the SNF QRP Spotlights and Announcements page.] Non-Critical Access Hospital (CAH)…… Continue reading Important QRP Reminder for Non-CAH Swing Beds

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare In addition to the March 26, 2021 update to the LTC Survey Process, CMS has uploaded 2 additional updates as of April 8, 2021.  The April updates consist of: An updated F-Tag Waiver Guide which shows the terminated waivers.  This guide is found in the Survey…… Continue reading Updates to Nursing Home Survey Process Documents