HCPro.com: Briefings on Long-Term Care

August 2008 (Volume 16, Issue 8)	view entire issue

MedPAC proposes SNF PPS changes for 2009
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) made two recommendations for Medicare's prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. In a press release detailing the recommendations, MedPAC stated: A reformed Medicare payment system should pay for care that spans across provider types and time (encompassing multiple patient visits and procedures) and hold providers accountable for the quality and cost of that care. The Commission finds that fundamental reforms in payment and delivery systems are needed to improve quality, coordinate care, and reduce cost growth. To increase value for beneficiaries and taxpayers, the Medicare program must overcome the limitations and incentives for volume growth in its current payment systems.

CMS announces changes to two F-tags
CMS has released an advance copy of revised surveyor guidance regarding nutrition and sanitary conditions. These changes delete F-tag #326 and incorporate it into F-tag #325, nutrition. The revisions, slated to take effect September 1, also delete F-tag #370 and incorporate the changes into F-tag #371, sanitary conditions. "I think [these changes] are timely," says Reta A. Underwood, president of Consultants for Long Term Care, Inc., in Louisville, KY. "I don't think there's anything out of the usual."

Installing proper sprinkler systems in your facility
CMS will soon release a regulation that requires all nursing homes without automatic sprinkler systems to install proper systems throughout their buildings to reduce the risk of fires and protect residents. The regulation states that sprinkler systems must be in place by 2013. Facilities not in compliance will no longer be eligible to serve Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries. Although it may seem like 2013 is far away, the installation of a comprehensive sprinkler system is a lengthy process.

Will your facility earn a five-star rating?
Editor's note: This month's column was written by Diane Brown, a long-term care regulatory specialist at HCPro. Beginning in December, all nursing homes will be rated using a five-star nursing home quality rating system reported on the consumer Web site Nursing Home Compare (see the screenshot on p. 12 of the PDF of this issue). With this change, CMS hopes to increase the usefulness of the Web site to consumers, family members, and the public.

Other recently-published articles from Briefings on Long-Term Care:

Avoid the ‘dirty little secret’ inside healthcare

Minimize mistakes when responding to the media

Dealing with the challenge of medical identity theft

Project management pointers to develop staff leaders

Receive financial backing: What you need to take out a loan

Embracing change: How to make a big shift in culture

Capturing referral opportunities: How to avoid letting money fall through the cracks

Implement critical thinking in your facility

Implement a successful discharge planning process

Preparing for baby boomers

Will your facility earn a five-star rating?

Installing proper sprinkler systems in your facility

CMS announces changes to two F-tags

MedPAC proposes SNF PPS changes for 2009

Are you taking advantage of the QM/QI trend reports?

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