Proposed Nursing Home Regulatory Changes
The recently proposed changes to the federal nursing home regulations are still awaiting final approval. The comment period closed on Sept. 16th, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) cannot predict when the rule will be finalized. For this reason, none of the changes that were proposed in the rule are in effect. Providers must continue to meet all Requirements of Participation (RoPs) as written. Additionally, the proposed regulations identified three areas where some requirements would be delayed for one year: Infection Control Preventionist, elements of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program, and elements of the Compliance and Ethics Program. The delay will not go into effect until the regulations are finalized. Interpretive Guidance for some Phase 3 requirements (including Trauma-Informed Care and Compliance and Ethics Program) has been delayed as well.
Contact: Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832