CMS Proposes Changes to PASRR

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule that would make changes to the current Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) program. PASRR was first implemented as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87), and the proposed rule would represent the first substantive change since the program was initiated. The changes are significant and look to clarify such issues as definitions, exemptions, and timelines. Understanding and interpreting the current requirements has been problematic for both providers and regulators. A summary of the proposed changes from LeadingAge National can be found here, and a fact sheet issued by CMS is available here. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding PASRR can be found in the Feb. 20, 2020 edition of the Federal Register.

The public comment period on the proposed rule ends on April 20, 2020, and members seeking to comment can forward their comments either directly to CMS or to LeadingAge NY to be submitted on behalf of the membership. The documents outlined in this article will also be distributed to Directors of Social Work (DSW) via the DSW Listserv in order to gather additional feedback on the proposed rule changes.

Contact: Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832