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Lutheran Services in America Urges CMS to Reconsider Skilled Nursing Facility Initiative, Seeks Member Data

In response to the recently announced plan by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a minimum staffing requirement that would increase staffing in skilled nursing facilities (without additional funding), along with expanded inspections and increased penalties and enforcement, Lutheran Services in America wrote a letter to CMS administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure outlining our concern about the lack of understanding of the workforce shortages facing skilled nursing providers and the result that older adults will not have access to the care they need. We also invited our members and their networks to participate in our advocacy campaign to Brooks-LaSure and members of Congress.

Now, as we prepare for meetings with the Biden administration and lawmakers, we are strengthening our message with more facts and data from the Lutheran Services in America network and invite our SNF members to complete our quick survey.

CMS Updates COVID-Related Rules on Vaccinations, CNA Training

On April 5, CMS issued revisions to its rule mandating COVID-19 vaccination for workers at skilled nursing facilities, stating that staff who have been suspended or are on extended leave won’t count against the providers as “unvaccinated staff.” The agency also clarified that providers who have made “good-faith efforts” to ensure all staff are vaccinated but have not achieved full compliance may receive relief in the form of less severe citations and penalties. The guidance included several examples.

Subsequently, on April 7, CMS also announced that it is restoring training requirements for nurse aides who work at skilled nursing facilities after temporarily waiving them due to COVID-19. Since March 2020, the waiver for nurse aide certifications had allowed SNFs and other nursing facilities to employ aides for longer than four months without the necessary training and certification. While some waivers will still be allowed in cases where training and testing programs are over capacity, the majority will now terminate on June 7.

Eventual End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Will Impact Providers, States

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared COVID-19 to be a “public health emergency” (PHE) effective January 27, 2020. This declaration activated certain emergency authority measures and the Department has also subsequently issued several rules and regulations linked to the existence of a PHE. Relief legislation passed by Congress has also tied various provisions offering flexibility on Medicare and Medicaid rules to the PHE. A PHE declaration automatically expires after 90 days, but HHS has issued repeated renewals of the COVID-19 PHE, with the current declaration now running through July 15, 2022.

While the Biden administration has committed to providing states with 60 days’ notice prior to allowing the PHE to terminate, it is expected that the PHE will end at some point this calendar year. States and healthcare providers are encouraged to prepare themselves and those they serve for the consequences of the end of the PHE, so we have compiled a chart outlining the key flexibilities which are currently in effect that will come to an end when the PHE does or shortly thereafter.

Upcoming Congressional Town Hall Meetings

Members of Congress continue to hold virtual town hall meetings to address constituent concerns about coronavirus relief. Here is a look at upcoming sessions (click links below to find out how to join):