Mid-May Marks Two Deadlines for Nursing Homes
Reminder: nursing homes have until May 15, 2017 to submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) information for the quarter that ended March 31, 2017. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the PBJ Policy Manual to clarify that entering worker hire and termination dates is now optional, as is data for dentists, podiatrists, and vocational service workers. The manual, with updates showing in red, is available here. The manual also newly notes that once the final data file is uploaded, the facility must check its Final File Validation Report, which can be accessed in its CASPER folder, to verify that the data was successfully submitted. It may take up to 24 hours to receive the validation report, so facilities must allow for time to correct any errors and resubmit, if necessary.
May 15th is also the last day to submit any corrections to MDS assessments for residents admitted to the home on or after Oct. 1, 2016 and discharged through Dec. 31, 2016. The FY 2018 reporting year for the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) is based on one quarter of data from 10/1/16 – 12/31/16. While no additional reporting is required, it is important that homes ensure that this MDS data is complete. Providers must submit all data necessary to calculate SNF QRP measures on at least 80% of the MDS assessments submitted to avoid a reduction to their October 2017 Medicare Part A rate. The CMS QRP Quick Reference Guide is available here.
In addition, homes should ensure that they submit their Employee Influenza Vaccination Reports by May 1, 2017 to avoid losing five points on their Nursing Home Quality Initiative score. Submission information is available here.
Contact: Darius Kirstein, dkirstein@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8841