The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services delivered a Phase 3 reprieve of sorts in mid July. Regulators eased or eliminated several proposed changes, while seeking delay for other Requirements of Participation measures.
Many providers had already been planning for — and putting spending toward — the goals based on a November 28 deadline, such as for the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement program, said Steven Littlehale, RN, Chief Innovation Officer for Zimmet Healthcare Services Group.
The original QAPI standards set specific parameters for design, scope and feedback that would be removed to give providers more flexibility, under the proposal.
Providers may adjust their current QAPI approaches if the proposed rule becomes final, said Janine Finck-Boyle, vice president of regulatory affairs for LeadingAge. “This is an opportunity for our members,” she told McKnight’s.
CMS also clarified that some QAPI data could be used to complete a new facility assessment requirement, while data gathered for the assessment could feed into QAPI planning and monitoring efforts.
Still needed by November 28 are: Trauma-informed care and staff competency requirements, along with an Infection Preventionist.
From the August 2019 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
