News Article

Reference Guide and Summary of CMS's Updated Nursing Home Guidance

July 12, 2022

On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released much awaited Phase 3 guidance along with updated Phase 2 guidance. The guidance was issued as the result of 2016 revisions to the Medicare Requirements for Participation for Nursing Homes. Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS is only now releasing the last set of guidance, which was originally scheduled to be released in 2019.

The Phase 3 Guidance offers significant updates to the requirements state oversight agencies must follow when surveying and assessing a nursing home’s compliance with the federal regulations. These areas include:

• Visitation
• Staffing
• Abuse and Neglect of Residents
• Transfer and Discharge Rights
• Infection Control
• Resident Assessments

The guidance to state oversight agencies is 847 pages. CMS has highlighted the updated text in red. Consumer Voice has created a Reference Guide and summary to help consumers understand and access this updated guidance.

Overall, Consumer Voice believes the updated guidance will increase protections for nursing home residents in a variety of areas.