Frequently asked questions and quick links to COVID-19 testing requirements for nursing homes brought to you by AHCA/NCAL.
Category: CMS
Targeted COVID-19 Training for Nursing Homes.
Nursing home providers can now participate in an “unprecedented” infection control training program designed to help them better manage COVID-19 in their facilities.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released details about the program Tuesday. The program was originally announced in late July as part of an additional $5 billion in coronavirus relief funding for nursing homes.
The program, which is available immediately to all Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes, is a tailored course that incorporates the most recent lessons learned by nursing homes during the ongoing pandemic. It also features best practices that frontline workers can implement to fight COVID-19 in their facilities, CMS Administrator Seema Verma explained during a press call Tuesday.
Read more at https://bit.ly/3llaby5
For more information or to register https://qsep.cms.gov/COVID-Training-Instructions.aspx
CMS Video Tutorials to Assist with Coding Specific Section GG Items.
This article from Long Term Care Leader contains links to videos to help you with coding accuracy under the new Patient Driven Payment Model.
http://www.longtermcareleader.com/2019/06/cms-video-tutorials-to-assist-with.html
Demotion Day is April 24th.
Roughly 5000 facilities may suffer a ratings drop when CMS makes changes to the Five-Star Ratings System.
Learn more in the McKnight’s article CMS’latest 5 Star changes leaving a bad taste
CMS: 6 Steps Nursing Homes Can Take to Avoid Preventable Harm.
A new federal report delves into the first steps nursing home leaders can take to avoid preventable harm to their residents. This 60-page resource from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was released late last year and created with the Quality Innovation Network National Coordinating Center.
The report also includes a two-page appendix with six strategies SNFs can pursue to get started.
- Shore Up Staffing.
- Know the residents and their needs and plan care with them.
- Prevent, identify, and address gaps in care.
- Promote excellent multidisciplinary team work.
- Provide tangible leadership engagement with staff and residents.
- Ensure excellent, competent, available, continuous care—onsite.