Yearly Archives: 2021

CMS has released an errata document concerning the non-therapy ancillary (NTA) component of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM). On pages 6-30 and 6-31, the NTA Comorbidity Score Calculation table needed to be updated to clarify that the presence of any, a combination, or all of Items M1040A, M1040B, and...

UPDATED – Nursing home surveys are conducted in accordance with survey protocols and Federal requirements to determine whether a citation of non-compliance appropriate. Consolidated Medicare and Medicaid requirements for participation (requirements) for Long Term Care (LTC) facilities (42 CFR part 483, subpart B) were first published in the Federal...

CMS is committed to taking critical steps to ensure America’s healthcare facilities continue to respond effectively to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (PHE). On August 25, 2020, CMS published an interim final rule with comment period (IFC). This rule establishes Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements...

This guidance summarizes the core infection prevention and control practices for nursing homes during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Some of these recommendations can be modified in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Those modifications, which will be regularly updated, are posted in CDC’s Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection...

NHSN COVID-19 Vaccination Data Collection Forms for Healthcare Personnel will be Revised this fall! What are the changes? Data on the current healthcare personnel categories for question #1 will no longer be collected. New categories will now include: Employees: Staff on facility payroll Licensed independent practitioners: Contracted physicians, advanced...

Memorandum Summary CMS is hereby removing the July 7, 2017 Memo (S&C 17-37-NH) from its guidance repository. Discussion CMS is hereby removing the July 7, 2017 Memo (S&C 17-37-NH) from its guidance repository. In that memo, CMS instructed CMS Locations (formerly “Regional Offices”) to impose civil monetary penalties for...

MO DHSS: On Wednesday (7/21/21), we were excited to announce the launch of a statewide COVID-19 vaccination incentive program, MO VIP, to further encourage vaccination among all Missourians age 12 and up. Over the next three months, 900 previously or newly vaccinated Missourians will win cash or education savings account...

Community Corps Members: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staff in nursing homes have been providing ongoing care to our nation’s most vulnerable. It’s on trusted messengers like you to make sure we’re reaching people who need to be protected from the COVID-19 virus. Building vaccine confidence among Long-Term Care Facility...

The ETS was officially filed in the Office of the Federal Register on June 17, 2021, and it became effective when it was published on June 21, 2021. OSHA – COVID-19 Healthcare ETS

DHSS has updated its guidance (HERE) to reflect recent changes to CMS’ visitation guidance and to clarify and provide examples of those considered outside health care workers, which includes hospice workers (all disciplines). The changes include: Visitor Vaccination Status When both the resident and all of their visitors are...