CLA experts share strategies for implementing the CMS staffing mandate and estimate its 10-year cost at $5.8 billion.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its staffing mandate for skilled nursing facilities, which will require an additional 101,500 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff members nationwide over the next decade at a cost of $5.8 billion. The rule, which was widely criticized by industry leaders, requires facilities to have a minimum of 3.48 hours of direct care per resident day (HPRD), including 0.55 HPRD for registered nurses (RNs) and 2.45 HPRD for nurse aides.
Experts from CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) advise facility operators to review the final regulations thoroughly and understand their implications, as well as prepare for compliance with the new requirements. The experts recommend conducting a gap assessment to identify areas needing improvement and integrating these findings into strategic and financial planning. They also caution against simply accepting penalties for non-compliance, as CMS tends to increase penalties over time.
The enhanced facility assessment requirement applies universally, regardless of the facility's location, and is due August 8. The assessments will help facilities identify gaps in their current staffing levels and develop plans to meet the new requirements. Industry leaders have expressed concerns about the feasibility of meeting the new requirements, but experts from CLA emphasize that preparing for compliance is essential, given the trend towards increased staffing mandates at both state and federal levels.
The CMS staffing mandate has been widely criticized by industry leaders, who argue that it will be difficult to meet the new requirements without significant increases in funding. However, experts from CLA believe that preparing for compliance is essential, regardless of potential legal challenges or changes in administration. They recommend that facilities start assessing their current status and identifying gaps to ensure compliance over the next few years.