Skilled Nursing News April 12, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced proposed expansions to CMS’ existing enforcement authority – including higher fines – related to financial penalties for nursing homes.
The proposed SNF rule for 2025 will allow CMS more flexibility to impose penalties, within statutory limits. The potential alterations have raised concerns about the heightened financial strain the new penalties could impose on skilled nursing facilities if implemented, irrespective of the star rating. And all facilities are at risk of facing substantial penalties for a single incident, especially if CMS enforces both per-day and per-instance penalties, experts said. And, another sticking point is CMS’ plan to review facility compliance over the past three years.
In a press release, CMS said...