LeadingAge National Comments on Proposed Medicare Payment Rule

LeadingAge National followed up its submission of detailed comments on the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) Rule with an expression of concern. “The proposed payment rule does not address the reality of providers’ operating environments, and will, ultimately, limit older adults’ access to much-needed care and services,” the press statement reads. It goes on to list additional costs not covered in the rates, key among them anticipated federal staffing requirements, in addition to current skyrocketing labor costs. The comments point out that some of the proposed quality measures are not fair, reasonable, or within providers’ control, or would require providers to contract with outside vendors. In addition, stricter accuracy and completeness requirements would be applied to data collected soon after significant changes in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment instrument took effect. The comments are available here, and the press statement is here.