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CMS Ends Waiver. Requires NFs to Resume Submission of Staffing Data by August 14, 2020

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Information posted June 29, 2020

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) QSO 20-34-NH (PDF) memo announces plans to end the Medicare emergency blanket waiver. All nursing homes are required to resume submitting staffing data through the Payroll-Based Journal system by August 14. The PBJ system allows CMS to collect nursing home staffing information which impacts the quality of care residents receive. The blanket waiver allowed the agency and providers to concentrate efforts on combating COVID-19.

Changes to the Nursing Home Compare Website and Five Star Quality Rating System:

  • Staffing Measures and Ratings Domain: On July 29, 2020, Staffing measures and star ratings will be held constant, and based on data submitted for Calendar Quarter 4 2019.
  • Quality Measures: On July 29, 2020, quality measures based on a data collection period ending December 31, 2019, will be held constant.