CMS Updates Guidance for Multiple Regulations

CMS; Regulations; AHCA/NCAL Updates
 
​​Today, November 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memo titled "Long-Term Care (LTC) Surveyor Guidance Process: Significant Updates Aim to Enhance the Quality and Oversight of LTC Surveys." Surveyors will use this guidance to determine compliance with requirements beginning February 24, 2025. 

Key Updates 
The revised guidance impacts the following regulations: 
  • Admission, Transfer, and Discharge 
    • ​F622–F626 and F660–F661 have been deleted, and new F-tags, F627 and F628, have been established. 
  • Chemical Restraints/Unnecessary Psychotropic Medication 
    • ​F758 has been removed, with its associated regulations and guidance incorporated into F605. 
  • Professional Standards and Medical Director 
  • Minimum Data Set (MDS) Accuracy, Coordination, and Certification 
  • Comprehensive Assessment After Significant Change 
  • QAPI/QAA Improvement Activities 
  • Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) 
  • Pain Management 
  • Physical Environment 
  • Infection Prevention and Control 
  • COVID-19 Immunization 
AHCA will continue to review the updates in detail and provide more detailed information and education on the changes.  

Questions? 
If you have any questions about the updated guidance, please contact us at regulatory@ahca.org. ​​​