The Department of Health and Human Services wants to know how its 8-year-old compliance guidance for nursing homes should be changed. The changes will affect providers taking part in federal health programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.

Revisions will reflect what the HHS’ Office of Inspector General has learned since the current guidance currently was finalized in March 2000, federal health officials said.

Their notice in the Jan. 24 Federal Register initiated a comment period that will close Feb. 25. To see the notice, visit http://www.oig.hhs.gov/authorities/docs/08/CPG_Nursing_Facility_Solicitation.pdf.

The OIG has published guidances to help various provider sectors stay within the intent of federal laws since 1997.