CMS to use staffing data to assess PPE needs; freezes star ratings

Providers’ staffing totals will be used to address their personal protective equipment needs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new memo from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In addition money collected from fines will pay for tools that will help residents communicate with their families during the pandemic lockdown.

CMS announced the moves late Friday afternoon, explaining that it will be publishing a list of the average number of staff members onsite at facilities each day. The information will be used to direct adequate PPE and testing to nursing homes.

The agency also is now waiving timeframe requirements for submitting resident assessment data (Minimum Data Set) and staff data (Payroll-Based Journal) by certain deadlines. The waivers won’t impact the updates to the quality measures and staffing domains being used for the April update on the rating system, which is set for Wednesday.