The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be hosting an “Open Door Forum” on Tuesday (tomorrow) to discuss, among other issues, the new five-star rating system for nursing homes.
The ratings system is expected to be available in December of 2008, according to CMS officials. The agency will be open to suggestions and comments from nursing homes, consumers, industry groups and the general public over the next few months, CMS says. Other topics up for discussion at the Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long-Term Care forum include the new sprinkler system mandate, the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and consolidated billing.
The forum, which will be conducted by conference call, is slated to begin at 2 p.m, EST. To participate, call (800) 837-1935 and use the reference ID 50249977. For more information, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums.
