Articles and Blogs

This is the first in a series of articles discussing the countdown to Phase 3 skilled nursing home compliance programs. To view other articles in this series, click here. Beginning on November 28, 2019, surveyors will use the requirements detailed 42 C.F.R. Section 483.85, the Requirements for States and Long-Term Care Facilities (“Final Regulations”)... READ MORE

On March 5, 2019, the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality/Survey & Certification Group released a memorandum titled “April 2019 Improvements to Nursing Home Compare and the Five-Star Rating System” (“Memorandum”). In the Memorandum, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) announced the end of the freeze on health inspection star ratings and added quality... READ MORE

On March 5, 2019, the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality/Survey & Certification Group released a memorandum titled “Revisions to Appendix Q, Guidance on Immediate Jeopardy” (“Memorandum”). The Memorandum’s revisions create a “Core Appendix Q” that will be used by surveyors of all provider and supplier types in determining when to cite immediate jeopardy.... READ MORE

On February 7, 2019, the Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a report titled CMS Guidance to State Survey Agencies on Verifying Correction of Deficiencies Needs to Be Improved to Help Ensure the Health and Safety of Nursing Home Residents (“Report”). The Report found that... READ MORE

On June 16, 2017, CMS issued transmittal S&C: 17-35-ALL. This transmittal clarified CMS policy by stating a reasonable assurance period will apply if a provider or supplier voluntarily terminates its Medicare certification when an enforcement action has been initiated by the State Survey Agency. Section 2016 of the State Operations Manual allows a provider... READ MORE