CMS reveals differing opinions on minimum staffing approach

A study meant to underpin a new federal nursing home staffing minimum will last about seven months and end in December, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official said Thursday.

That confirmation came during an Open Door Forum conference call Thursday, and amid a fierce, ongoing debate how mandated staffing levels can be equitably determined at all.

The CMS call came nearly a week after the agency issued its final 2023 pay rule. In it, CMS acknowledged there had been a “significant response” to its request for information on establishing mandatory minimum staffing levels.