The April 2019 changes include revisions to the inspection process, enhancement of new staffing information, and implementation of new quality measures. This includes a lifting of the ‘freeze’ on the health inspection ratings instituted in February 2018.
Additionally, CMS is setting higher thresholds and evidence-based standards for nursing homes’ staffing levels. Currently, providers that report seven or more days in a quarter with no registered nurse onsite are automatically assigned a one-star staffing rating. In April 2019, the threshold for the number of days without an RN onsite in a quarter that triggers an automatic downgrade to one-star will be reduced from seven days to four days.
The April 2019 Nursing Home Compare Update includes adding measures of long-stay hospitalizations and emergency room transfers, and removing duplicative and less meaningful measures. CMS is also establishing separate quality ratings for short-stay and long-stay residents and revising the rating thresholds to better identify the differences in quality among nursing homes
LeadingAge National is analyzing the announced changes as to potential impact on our nursing home and life plan community members and they welcome your comments and concerns. Send questions and comments to Nicole O. Fallon, VP, Health Policy & Integrated Services; Director, Center for Managed Care Solutions & Innovations at 202-508-9435.
