Survey Preparedness Page ContentSkilled nursing centers and nursing facilities are required to follow extensive rules in the Requirements of Participation (ROP) to receive payment under the CMS Medicare or Medicaid programs. These requirements are contained in the Federal Regulations for Nursing Facilities, which also state each center must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes with accepted professional standards. The AHCA regulatory team provides members with guidance and resources to help them understand the survey process and implement the requirements. Need help locating a specific resource? Download the AHCA Regulatory Resources Guide, which provides direct links to all available tools to help you prepare for surveys. SURVEY TIPS to Maintain Compliance The AHCA regulatory team is developing survey tips to assist in maintaining compliance with skilled nursing regulations, as well as preparing for surveys. The team will review trends for citations and provide tips for staying in compliance with these regulatory areas. SURVEY TIPS Survey Tip- Preparing Before your SurveySurvey Tip- F689 and Past NoncomplianceSurvey Tip- Abuse Neglect and Misappropriation of Resident PropertySurvey Tip- Food Procurement, Storage, Preparation and SanitationSurvey Tip- Documenting Protection on Abuse Reporting Survey Tip- Reporting Resident to Resident AltercationsSurvey Tip- Grievance ResolutionSurvey Tip- Using the Tools in your ToolkitSurvey Tips- Transfer and Discharge (Part 1)Survey Tips- Transfer and Discharge (Part 2)Survey Tips- Resident RightsSurvey Tips – Behavioral HealthSurvey Tips – Failure to NotifySurvey Tips – CPR Latest BlogsView All CMS Rescinds Memo QSO-23-03-ALL 3.25.2025 On March 14, CMS rescinded QSO-23-03-All – The Importance of Timely Use of COVID-19 Therapeutics. Read More CMS Further Delays Implementation of Surveyor Guidance Changes 3.10.2025 CMS released QSO-25-14-NH earlier today, March 7. The memo updates previously released guidance from November 18, 2024, and January 15, 2025. Read More Dementia Care Training and Certification Research Study 2.20.2025 As assisted living communities have become more popular, they have become the largest residential provider of long term care for people with dementia. Read More CMS Releases Revised Guidance for Federal Monitoring Surveys 1.21.2025 CMS released a revised Admin Memo: 25-06-NH related to guidance for Federal Monitoring Surveys Read More It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. View All It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. (Hidden) Toolkit HealthCap Risk Management Services has released the 2022 Elopement Prevention & Management Toolkit. DOWNLOAD TODAY Focus F-Tags: Guidance On November 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released Revised Long-Term Care (LTC) Surveyor Guidance: Significant revisions to enhance quality and oversight of the LTC Survey Process. The memo included significant changes to guidance in Appendix PP related to the updated regulatory areas. The changes will be effective, and surveyors will begin surveying based on the revised guidance, on April 28, 2025. Please refer to Appendix PP Guidance to Surveyor for Long Term Care Facilities for the most up to date regulations and guidance. F-Tag Action Tools F-Tag Action Tool: Transfer and DischargeF-Tag Action Tool: Right to be Free from Chemical RestraintsF-Tag Action Tool: Infection Prevention and ControlF-Tag Action Tool: F658 Professional Standards F-Tag Action Tool: F841 Medical Director F-Tag Action Tool: F697 – Pain ManagementF-Tag Action Tool: F637, Comprehensive Assessment after Significant Change & F677, Activities of Daily LivingF-Tag Action Tool: §483.20 – F641, Accuracy of AssessmentsF-Tag Action Tool: §483.70(p), F851, Mandatory submission of staffing information based on payroll data in a uniform formatF-Tag Action Tool: §483.90(f) Bathing and Toilet FacilitiesF-Tag Action Tool: F725, Sufficient Nursing Staff & F727F-Tag Action Tool: §483.75 Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement F-Tag Action Briefs & Much More on ROP Additional resources and tools to help you navigate the ROP are available on ahcancalED, including F-Tag Action Briefs, which complement the summaries above and highlight implementation strategies and tips. EXPLORE TODAY Provider Resources Nondiscrimination FAQsFinal Rule on Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities Member Summary & TableCMS System Application Access Guide for Nursing HomesSummary - New HHS Rule Strengthens Prohibitions Against Discrimination Based on a Disability in Health Care and Human Services ProgramsNHSN Support Reference GuideNHSN Help Desk Job AidCivil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program Toolkit NATCEP Ban Waiver Request Form2022 HealthCap Elopement Prevention & Management Toolkit.NHSN Tip Sheet NATCEP Ban Waiver Tip SheetSchizophrenia Diagnosis Audit CMS Resources CMS PASRR Technical AssistanceQuality, Safety & Oversight - General InformationState Operations Manual - Appendix PPQuality Safety & Oversight - Guidance to Laws & RegulationsLTC Survey Process Procedure GuideLTC Survey PathwaysCMS Quality Safety & Oversight memoranda, guidance, clarifications, and instructions to SSA and CMS Regional OfficesState Operations Manual-Survey and Enforcement Process for SNFs and NFsQSEP - Driving Healthcare Quality (Hidden) Blue Quick Links [1] Link 1Link 2 (Hidden) Blue Quick Links [2] Link 1Link 2 (Hidden) RESOURCES Tip Sheet-How to Use QCOR CMP ToolTip Sheet-How to Access QCOR QCOR TutorialCMP TutorialNHSN Tip SheetNATCEP Ban Waiver Tip Sheet: This tip sheet helps providers complete the Ban Waiver Request Form for the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program.NATCEP Ban Waiver Request Form Questions? Email regulatory@ahca.org with any questions you have. Contact Access F-Tag Action Briefs & More ROP resources on ahcancalED The Five-Star Quality Rating SystemStrengthening Facility Assessments to Adapt to Regulatory Changes The Long Term Care Survey, Phase 3, Second Edition