CMS Ends Emergency Blanket Waiver for Nursing Home Staffing Data Submission
Under the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had waived the requirements at 42 CFR 483.70(q), which require nursing home providers to submit staffing data through the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system.
On Thursday, June 25, 2020, CMS issued a Memorandum stating that it was serving notice, effective immediately, that it is ending the blanket emergency waiver of 42 CFR 483.70(q), and that all nursing homes are required to resume submission of staffing data through the PBJ system as required by the regulation. Specifically, facilities must submit the requisite staffing data for Calendar Quarter 2 (April – June) 2020 through the PBJ system by August 14, 2020. In addition, while not required, CMS also encourages nursing homes to submit data for Calendar Quarter 1 (January – March) 2020. The Memorandum also addresses the impact of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) on Quality Measures used on Nursing Home Compare Updates. For additional information, see the CMS Memorandum Ref: QSO 20-34-NH from the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality/Quality, Safety, and Oversight Group to State Officials, State Survey Agency Directors, and Nursing Home Stakeholders (June 25, 2020).
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