CMS released its final rule for fiscal year 2018 payment rates and quality programs for skilled nursing facilities.
Here are three things to know.
- For fiscal year 2018, the payment rates under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities will increase 1 percent compared to fiscal year 2017, in accordance with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. CMS estimates payments to SNFs will increase $370 million in fiscal year 2018.
- CMS also finalized proposed revisions to the SNF quality reporting program for pressure ulcers and eliminated the all-cause readmission measure from the program. The final rule also includes a value-based purchasing program slated to begin Oct. 1, 2018. The program will assess readmission rates and other specified measures.
- The SNF final rule takes effect Oct. 1, 2017.