CMS announces a new Payroll-Based Journal system

Apr 30, 2015 | CMS' PBJ Policies

News Digest: CMS announces a new Payroll-Based Journal system

The Payroll-Based Journal staffing data system was launched in April, 2015 when CMS documented the PBJ plan with several Policy Memos.  These Survey & Certification Letters defined the outlines and purpose of PBJ data collection.  While the technical details have evolved, the core purpose of the PBJ program continues much as it was initially defined.

There was minimal news coverage of the new PBJ program at first, with an early blog by an industry consultant and a short article in an industry publication.

News from industry blog

CMS announces Payroll-Based Journal system to be implemented

February’s announcement of adjustments to the Five Star Rating included the announcement that payroll-based staffing would be implemented in the next year or two for nursing homes, and CMS announced yesterday the release of its staffing submission data Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system. Section 6106 of the ACA mandated that nursing facilities electronically submit direct care staffing information, including agency and contract staff, to CMS using payroll or other auditable data.

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“CMS Announces Payroll-Based Journal System to Be Implemented.” CMS Compliance Group, 9 Apr. 2015, cmscompliancegroup.com/2015/04/09/09-payroll-based-journal

News from iadvanced

CMS develops staffing, census system

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that it has developed an electronic system whereby long-term care (LTC) facilities will submit staffing and census information as required under the Affordable Care Act. The system, which CMS is calling the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ), is being implemented via funding from the Impact Act of 2014.

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Bowers, Lois. “CMS Develops Staffing, Census System.” I Advance Senior Care, 8 Apr. 2015, www.iadvanceseniorcare.com/cms-develops-staffing-census-system

Related CMS and PBJ Resources

To learn more about the details, policies and information in these articles, please review these CMS and PBJ publications.

Cms qso survey memorandum
S&C Memo 15-35-NH
Cms qso survey memorandum
S&C Memo 15-37-NH
Payroll based journal policy manual
PBJ Policy Manual v1.0

More News in this PBJ Topic

House Hearing Focuses on Nursing Home Safety and Quality

This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled “Examining Efforts to Ensure Quality of Care and Resident Safety in Nursing Homes.” The purpose of the hearing was to explore the roles of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) relating to the management and safety of nursing facilities.

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The PBJ quality quest

In McKnights, Don Feige observes how CMS continues their quest to create a standardized, consistent measure of staffing across the industry by closing loopholes and clarifying gray areas.

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PBJ data goes public

In a memo published earlier this week, CMS announced that they will begin posting PBJ public use files for viewing by LTC facilities, stakeholders, and the general public at http://data.cms.gov/ on November 1, 2017.

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PBJ reporting begins

In McKnights, Don Feige describes some of the trickier parts of the PBJ reporting rules that providers need to either validate or make changes to systems and processes to ensure staffing data is PBJ compliant

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Getting prepared for the new payroll-based journal reporting requirements

Mandatory compliance with the new Centers for Medicare & Medicated Services (CMS) payroll-based journal reporting (PBJ) requirements begins July 1, 2016. Are you prepared? Whether it’s reaching out to your payroll or timekeeping vendors to supply the data, working with internal IT departments, or contacting other IT software companies, it’s critical you find a solution now.

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