Navigating the Latest CMS Surveyor Guidance Updates: Mental Health Disorders

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New Surveyor Guidance is in effect and indicates that mental health disorders in nursing home facilities need to be diagnosed by a medical practitioner. Evidence-based criteria and professional standards, such as the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), must be used and supported by documentation in the resident’s medical record. Diagnoses such as Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder require supporting documentation such as a DSM assessment, like all other mental…

Understanding the Benefits of Performing a Mock Survey

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Whether your organization relies on an in-house team or enlists the help of an outside consultant, conducting a mock survey is an essential strategy to assess your organization’s current performance against the standards set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), improving your chances of securing a higher star rating. In 2025, healthcare providers are still navigating the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside new challenges like workforce instability, ongoing staffing shortages,…

Navigating the Latest CMS Surveyor Guidance Updates: What SNFs Need to Know

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Staying informed about regulatory changes is crucial for compliance and high-quality care in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term care nursing homes. On March 10, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the updated Long-Term Care (LTC) Surveyor Guidance, QSO-25-14-NH. This new guidance will take effect on April 28, 2025, introducing new expectations, revised F-tags, and significant changes in admissions, staffing, psychotropic medication use, and infection control. These changes may be challenging,…