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The proposed minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes, which are part of a broader effort to improve care quality and safety in these facilities. According to CMS's proposal, nursing homes would be required to have at least 4.1 hours per resident day (HPRD) of total nurse time, including RNs, LPNs/LVNs, and CNAs.

Afzal, a healthcare consultant, notes that the proposed requirements could lead to operational disruption and increased costs for facilities. However, he also believes that the requirements could prompt a cultural shift in facilities towards a more resident-centered care model.

Some of the key points:

• The proposed minimum staffing requirements are part of a broader effort to improve care quality and safety in nursing homes.
• Facilities may face operational disruption and increased costs as they work to meet the new requirements.
• The requirements could prompt a cultural shift in facilities towards a more resident-centered care model.
• Recruitment challenges may arise as facilities work to meet the new staffing requirements.

The article also mentions that part two of this series will provide detailed recommendations for facilities on how to recruit staff and prepare to meet the new requirements.

This article was originally found on iadvanceseniorcare.com

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule on minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities, which will require nursing homes to increase their staffing levels in order to create a safer living environment for residents. The new rule mandates a minimum staffing standard of 3.48 nursing hours per resident day (HPRD) and will be phased in over the next several years.

While the goal of increasing staffing levels may seem laudable, experts warn that this mandate could further complicate the already financially troubled nursing home industry. According to KFF.org, only one in five facilities currently meet the minimum staffing criteria required at full implementation, and many nursing homes are struggling to stay afloat due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates.

The financial squeeze on nursing homes is exacerbated by the fact that almost 70% of residents rely on Medicaid to pay for their care, which often results in losses for the facility. The difference between private pay and Medicaid payment rates can be significant, with many facilities losing money every month on Medicaid patients. To address this issue, industry experts are calling for increased financial support from the government or alternative solutions that would allow nursing homes to provide quality care while remaining financially sustainable.

Financial planners emphasize the importance of planning ahead for long-term care needs. They advise people to start looking ahead around age 62, when considering signing up for Social Security and Medicare, and to develop a comprehensive plan that can pay great dividends both financially and in quality-of-life decades later.

The situation highlights the need for individuals to rely less on government support and more on their own planning and preparation. By taking proactive steps, people can ensure that they are prepared for potential long-term care needs and avoid being caught off guard by unexpected expenses or reduced access to care.

This article was originally found on post-gazette.com

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The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Secretary, Xavier Becerra, challenging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) new rule requiring nursing homes to have a registered nurse (RN) on staff 24/7 and meet specific hourly staffing requirements.

The lawsuit claims that CMS exceeded its statutory authority in implementing the rule, which will force many nursing homes to significantly increase their RN and nurse aide (NA) staffing. The AHCA argues that this will be impossible for some facilities, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to RNs and NAs.

The plaintiffs also argue that the rule irrationally discounts the contributions of licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who are often used by nursing homes to provide care. The AHCA claims that CMS failed to adequately account for the ongoing shortage of RNs and NAs, which will be exacerbated by the artificial demand created by the rule.

The lawsuit references a previous case, Oyez vs. the Department of Labor, in which the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the National Federation of Independent Business when it challenged the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's authority to mandate COVID-19 vaccines or testing for employers with at least 100 employees. The AHCA argues that this ruling supports its claim that CMS exceeded its statutory authority in implementing the new rule.

The lawsuit asks the court to declare that the 24/7 RN and hourly requirements exceed CMS's statutory authority and are arbitrary and capricious, and to issue orders setting aside the requirements and stopping HHS from enforcing them.

This is a developing story, and McKnight's will provide additional coverage as more information becomes available.

This article was originally found on mcknights.com

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it is developing a national nursing home staffing campaign to help operators meet the federal minimum staffing mandate. The campaign will provide support and resources to facilities struggling to comply with the new requirements, which include a total nurse staffing standard of 3.48 hours per resident day, with 0.55 hours of direct registered nurse (RN) care and 2.45 hours of direct nurse aide (CNA) care.

The CMS finalized the rule last week, despite criticism from the nursing home industry, including LeadingAge and the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), which argued that the rule lacks financial support. CMS officials acknowledged that some facilities may close as a result of the mandate, but stated that the current situation with inadequate staffing has resulted in poor quality of care and necessitated a change.

The campaign will be rolled out this summer, and will include staggered implementation timelines for rural and non-rural areas, as well as time-limited hardship exemptions to provide temporary relief. CMS officials emphasized that the rule is intended to drive the delivery of safe, quality care for all residents, and to reduce health disparities by ensuring that facilities maintain adequate staffing levels.

Dr. Dora Hughes, acting deputy administrator and director of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality at CMS, stated that the agency received over 46,000 comments on the rule, including many personal stories of residents going hours without toileting assistance, days without showers, and having medications delayed or missed entirely. She noted that these conditions disproportionately affect residents of color, and that mandating minimum staffing requirements will improve quality of care provided to residents from marginalized communities.

The article also mentions that companies such as AHCA/NCAL have estimated that the rule will cost $6.5 billion annually and require 102,000 extra clinicians, which could displace a quarter of residents. However, CMS officials are confident that the campaign will help facilities comply with the new requirements and improve quality of care for all residents.

This article was originally found on skillednursingnews.com