The new MDS 3.0 Quality Measures User’s Manual Version 12.0, effective Jan. 1, 2019, has been posted to the CMS website.

Homes should review their data by March 4^th prior to its public posting in April.

Accurate and timely submission of nursing home payroll data critical in maintaining star ratings.

In a memo released last month, CMS began informing state survey agencies of SNFs with potential staffing issues – specifically, facilities identified through PBJ data that have significantly low nurse staffing levels on weekends. In response to LeadingAge NY questions, CMS clarified that they are flagging the bottom decile (10 percent) in each state based on total reported weekend nurse staffing.

Proposed legislation, discussions with Commissioner of Health follow Buffalo News series.

LeadingAge NY comments on methodology for 2019.

Agency staff share key information on VBP, QRP programs during SNF Open Door Call.

CMS will share specific data with states on nursing homes that have a significant drop in staffing levels on weekends or that have several days in a quarter without an RN onsite. The DOH survey agency will then be required to survey nursing homes from the list on some weekends.