Compliance Today, December 2019

On October 7, according to a CMS MLN Connects notice, “the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced a major enhancement of the information available to nursing home residents, families, and caregivers on our Nursing Home Compare website. Beginning October 23, we will display a consumer alert icon next to nursing homes that have been cited for incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. By making this information accessible and understandable, we are empowering consumers to make the right decisions for themselves and their loved ones.

‘”The Trump Administration and CMS are committed to ensuring that nursing home residents are safe from abuse and neglect. Through the ‘transparency’ pillar of our five-part strategy to ensure safety and quality in nursing homes, we are giving residents and families the ability to make informed choices,’ said Administrator Seema Verma.”

In addition, the MLN Connects notice added,“The new alert icon will be added for facilities cited on inspection reports for one or both of the following:

Abuse that led to harm of a resident within the past year

Abuse that could have potentially led to harm of a resident in each of the last two years

“The icon will be updated monthly, at the same time CMS inspection results are updated. This icon will supplement existing information, including the Nursing Home Five-Star Ratings, helping consumers develop a more complete understanding of a facility’s quality.”

For more: CMS Press Release (issued October 7).

https://go.cms.gov/2nr1GZ5

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