Nursing Homes Need to Know…the Final Rule is Here!
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) final rule for the FY2025 is upon us and in a time where our regulatory climate has grown even more taxing, the resiliency of the providers has become ever more important. With that in mind, be aware that CMS has published information on the final rule for FY2025 that will take effect on October 1, 2024, and if you’re a provider you want to take note. This blog post provides a high-level summary of regulatory insight as you prepare for the quickly approaching changes.
Providers can expect to experience an increase in Civil Money Penalties (CMPs) as well as imposition of Denials of Payment for New Admissions (DPNA) for high level deficiencies as well as deficient practice that occurs repeatedly but might not be cited at a high scope/severity. The final rule indicates the penalties will be loftier to deter poor quality outcomes and improve overall compliance.
Staffing requirements are promised to have more oversight from regulators as the staffing mandate and the desire to increase RN coverage in facilities has been a key focus for law makers. Providers can expect immediate penalties from enforcement for noncompliance.
The use of anti-psychotics has been more than a decades-long focus of CMS and this final rule indicates more scrutiny along with CMPs will be the new norm for accountability with unnecessary medications.
CMS has expanded the number of targeted facilities that will be listed as a Special Focus Facility and will require more strict oversight from the state agencies for those that are deemed as having serious quality concerns. Meeting substantial compliance will be required in a shorter timeframe than what was previously allowed with more rigorous monitoring and inspections to be expected.
CMS intends to be more forthright in reporting data on the Nursing Home Care Compare website with added insight regarding specific details about staffing, inspections and will include imposed remedies as well.
Providers may also begin to notice more stringent penalties related to emergency preparedness as CMS intends to ensure resident safety during critical or crucial times that require prompt action and plans.
While many providers are asking the questions of “how much more can we take”, do not be dismayed or discouraged as the majority of providers are doing what it takes to care for our most vulnerable population. Remain diligent, fight the good fight and when in troubled waters lean on those that can help you.
***QSR5 is well-equipped to support you during those tough survey moments but also to prepare you for the expected surveys before you find yourself in jeopardy of citations and penalties.