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Flu vaccinations to be required for all SNF residents

LTC Liability Monitor, August 17, 2005

Starting this fall under a new proposal, SNFs that fail to offer vaccinations for influenza and pneumonia to all of their residents will potentially lose their Medicare and Medicaid benefits, according to Reuters. Residents must be vaccinated unless their families refuse or they cite "medical reasons," according to CMS' proposed rule.

In January, Medicare raised the amount of reimbursement on top of the cost of each actual vaccination from $8 to $18, hoping to encourage SNFs to push more doses. The new proposal, which is not yet finalized, catalyzed worries about a vaccine shortage in the 2005-2006 flu season, although during last year's alleged shortage, the season still ended with an overflow of unused doses, Reuters reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate there are between 1.6 million and 2 million residents in nearly 18,000 SNFs across the country, and the close quarters of most SNFs make it easier for germs to spread.

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