LeadingAge participated in the monthly “associations” call with CMS on January 31st. CMS acknowledged the recent announcement related to the May ending of the public health emergency. CMS was unable to provide details but assured the associations that details on waiver endings and changes to survey processes would be communicated in advance through memo. LeadingAge brought up concerns from members about survey and survey process backlogs. CMS acknowledged that survey backlogs persist. States are continuing to work through complaint and standard recertification surveys and report that survey processes are delayed by sometimes serious findings and state survey agency workforce shortages. Related to questions on enhanced barrier precautions, CMS confirmed that they still have not given directives or guidance to state survey agencies to survey on implementation of CDC’s Enhanced Barrier Precautions. CMS was unable to discuss staffing standards or recent memo QSO-23-05-NH (schizophrenia audits and posting citations under IDR/IIDR) on this call. A separate discussion for IDR/IIDR citations has been scheduled.
