While skilled nursing providers have always wanted an easy way to look up regulations, the need spiked following the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ debut of new F-tags in late June. As part of the new survey process, the revised tag system is set to go into effect Nov. 28.
The F-tag list now starts with 500; it allows CMS to tighten or expand certain regulations. But in addition to CMS’ release of an F-Tag Crosswalk June 30, Regs in a Flash CEO Hugh Heaton spent Fourth of July weekend formatting the regulations for providers as a way to make them easier to find and follow.
“From my initial review, I believe facilities will be greatly surprised at the amount of information that has been revised or added to the new Appendix PP interpretive guidelines,” Heaton told McKnight’s. “It will take some time to sort through the data to determine the effects the new guidelines will have on current facility policies, procedures and system processes.”
Regs in a Flash began three years ago, and it released a mobile app in early June. Heaton told McKnight’s he was inspired to create a system that would help providers easily access hundreds of pages of regulatory compliance
“It’s a tremendous app,” he said. By giving an automated updating process that takes less than five minutes, “we allow you to automatically update all your fliers and identify when rules change.”
Regs in a Flash does not put restrictions on the number of users who can use the content as long as they are in the same facility. In addition to the new F-tags, the company has “E” tag numbers for providers working on emergency preparedness.
Clients can access the app through Google Play or Apple App stores. After a free trial, the cost is $5.99 a month. Corporate multi-user account accessibility was set to debut in July.
From the August 01, 2017 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
