CMS is identifying and streamlining the review process for higher-performing nursing homes.
The changes come after a successful pilot program was completed across 22 states, according to a July 16 agency news release.
“At CMS, we are continually looking for ways to recognize excellence for top performers and to encourage lower performers to improve,” CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, said in the release.
Here is what to know.
1. CMS outlined a risk-based survey process that will focus fewer resources on the higher-performing nursing homes so it can better address issues in nursing facilities where residents’ health and safety are at greater risk. However, all facilities will be surveyed at least every 15 months.
2. To qualify, a nursing home must meet several criteria quarterly, including a five-star overall facility rating on Care Compare, accurate data submission to CMS, zero citations indicating harm or substandard quality of care in the last survey cycle and no recent ownership changes.
3. About 12% of all nursing facilities will qualify as higher-performing, and CMS will place an icon on the Care Compare tool to identify higher-performing facilities.
4. The new risk-based survey implementation will begin in September.
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