COVID-19 UPDATE #240
April 12, 2022
CMS ISSUES FY 2023 SNF PROPOSED PAYMENT RULE
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2023 update. Click here to read the CMS press release. Highlights include:
  • The proposed rule provides for a net market basket increase for SNFs of 3.9 percent beginning October 1, 2022, with a proposed parity adjustment (decrease) of 4.6 percent.
  • The 3.9 percent market basket update reflects an unadjusted market basket increase of 2.8 percent increased by 1.5 percent forecast error adjustment, as well as a reduction of 0.4 percentage points, in accordance with the multifactor productivity adjustment required by Section 3401(b) of the Affordable Care Act. 
  • However, due to the proposed parity adjustment, CMS estimates that the net market basket update would decrease Medicare SNF payments by approximately $320 million in FY 2023.
  • While CMS questions the need for a second delay, it solicits comments on a possible delay or phase of the proposed parity adjustment. 

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has developed a summary of the payment rule and the greatest impacts on members.

Additionally, AHCA/NCAL will host a member-only webinar on Thursday, April 14 at 1 PM PST. AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson will provide an overview of the proposed rule and brief the membership on submitting comments to CMS. The webinar will be recorded, and all registrants will receive an email when the recording is ready. If you have questions or need assistance registering, please email educate@ahca.org.
EMERGENCY RULES REGARDING NURSE DELEGATION
In a Dear Administrator letter dated April 8, 2022, assisted living providers were notified on March 14, 2022, the Department of Health filed emergency rules (WSR 22-07-046) waiving the requirement for nurse delegators to verify completion of basic caregiver training before providing delegation. The emergency rules amend WACs 246-840-930 and 246-841-405. The rules went into effect March 14, 2022. The goal of these emergency rules is to allow more long term care workers to provide nurse delegated care. If you have any questions, please contact the Nurse Delegation Program at NurseDelegation@dshs.wa.gov. 
COMAGINE OFFERS WEBINARS TO SUPPORT SNFs WITH COVID-19 VACCINE AND BOOSTER RATES
Comagine invites you to join them for a 30-minute webinar series focused on improving vaccine and booster rates in your facilities. Each week they present best practices and resources that are actionable for skilled nursing facility leaders and staff.

Tuesday, April 19: Health Literacy 
11 AM | (30 minutes) | Link to Register 

In addition, you can join Comagine Health for 30 minutes every Friday for an open conversation about raising your COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster rates for residents and staff. Register and learn about new resources and best practices, to ask questions, and to hear and learn from a small group of your peers. 

Hours for LTPAC Facilities to Support Vaccinations 
Every Friday through May 27 | 11 AM | (30 minutes) | Link to Register 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.