August 2, 2023

F-Tags in Review: F559 Choose/Be Notified of Room/Roommate Change

The new CMS regulations which were implemented in November 2017 included the addition of regulation F559 which sometimes leads to a deficiency due to the lack of documented pre-planning or lack of documentation of conversations with the resident. While this regulation has not yet been widely identified as deficient, some pre-planning will assist in avoidance of deficiency in the future. We all know there are times when a resident requires a room move due to circumstances…

F-Tags in Review: F584 Safe Environment

This week’s “F-Tags in Review” focuses on F584 which is a combination of seven previous F-Tags. Each of these previous tags correlates to impact the environment in which residents live and have a significant impact on quality of life. The regulations require each nursing facility to provide: The goal of the regulation is to provide residents with an environment that is free from an institutionalized feel.  Think of an environment that you would be most…

The Public Health Emergency Renewal of January 11, 2023: What is the Impact on Skilled Nursing Facilities?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the twelfth extension of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) on January 11, 2023. With each PHE extension, several flexibilities and waivers remain in effect. One that has the greatest impact on skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) is the 3-day prior hospitalization requirement for Medicare beneficiaries. Although the 3-day prior hospitalization for Medicare Part A coverage in a SNF continues to be waived, providers must be aware…