On April 24, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) adopted new federal minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities nationwide. This CMS final rule is entitled the Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting. It stemmed from feedback received via more than 46,000 public comments in response to its proposal.
The rule requires facilities to:
- Ensure the presence of a registered nurse (RN) on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and
- Provide a minimum of 3.48 total nurse staffing hours per resident day (HRPD), including at least 0.55 HRPD for RNs and 2.45 HRPD for nurse aides.
CMS may, among other potential penalties, terminate provider agreements, deny payment for new admissions, and/or impose civil monetary fines for noncompliance with the new rule.
- To optimize transparency related to staff compensation, CMS is also requiring states to collect and report on the percentage of Medicaid payments spent in this area as applicable to direct care and support staff.
- In addition, facilities are expected to use updated assessments to determine whether their staffing needs should be set higher than the required minimum levels based on resident acuity and individual care needs. This includes addressing the specific needs of each resident and making adjustments as necessary. In doing so, you must solicit input not only from facility leadership but also from residents, resident representatives, and family members.
- You are also required to develop staffing plans to maximize recruitment and retention, consistent with information detailed in the President’s April Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers.
View the rule in its entirety here.
Meeting Compliance Challenges
As your LTC facility phases in compliance with this latest CMS regulation, it helps to partner with a staffing agency that can provide the professionals you need to ensure unparalleled patient care, support, and outcomes. It’s not always easy. You need RNs, aides, and support staff on all levels and in all roles to ensure ongoing success.
AlliedUP Co-Op is more than just an allied healthcare temp agency. Our LTC industry expertise, deep network, and innovative staffing model allow us to attract top-tier medical personnel to meet your current and ongoing needs – in California and across the country. We can also keep you posted on additional developments in your industry as they arise so you stay up-to-date, compliant, and competitive in terms of both staffing and business advancement.
Reach out to us today to learn more. Need an Employee quickly? Request one easily here!
