Breaking News for Nursing Homes

March 7, 2025

CMS Breaking News: Long-Term Care Survey Guidance Implementation Delayed to April 28, 2025

Breaking News! CMS Grants More Time for Compliance with Updated LTC Survey Guidance

In a significant update for the long-term care industry, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially revised its QSO 25-14-NH memo, delaying the implementation of critical changes to the Long-Term Care (LTC) Surveyor Guidance from March 24, 2025, to April 28, 2025.

This delay provides nursing home operators, administrators, and surveyors additional time to prepare for the enhanced quality and oversight measures in the LTC survey process.

Key Updates from CMS

New Implementation Date: Surveyors will begin using the revised guidance to determine compliance starting April 28, 2025—giving facilities more time for staff education and policy adjustments.

Expanded Training Requirements: CMS has incorporated revised guidance and training into the Nursing Services requirements and Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) reporting updates within Appendix PP and the Long-Term Care Survey Process. (Please review it).

Surveyor Preparation: State and federal surveyors will undergo extensive training to ensure proper enforcement of these new expectations, aligning with CMS’ broader efforts to enhance accountability, transparency, and resident safety in nursing homes.

What does the delay means for Nursing Homes

With this extra time, nursing home leaders must act now to ensure full compliance before the April 28 deadline. Here’s what you should focus on:

1.???? Update Policies and Procedures: Review and align nursing services, staffing, and documentation practices with the revised guidance.

2.???? Train Staff Proactively: Ensure that clinical teams, MDS coordinators, interdisciplinary teams and compliance officers are well-versed in the updated surveyor expectations.

3.???? Enhance Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Reporting: With heightened scrutiny on staffing compliance, ?ensure your facility has accurate and timely reporting of hours worked.

4.???? Conduct Internal Audits and Mock Surveys: Proactive compliance assessments will help facilities identify gaps and correct deficiencies before the revised survey process goes into effect. The Institute of Post-Acute Care (InsPAC) has the experts, tools and resources to assure readiness and compliance for your organization.

The Bottom Line

CMS is providing a crucial window of opportunity for facilities to refine their compliance strategies before the new surveyor guidance takes effect. This delay should not be viewed as a chance to relax but rather as an opportunity to get ahead of regulatory changes and avoid potential citations.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor and break down the latest CMS announcements impacting long-term care providers!

Don’t Wait—Start Preparing Today

Aysha's Final Thoughts: No Excuses—The Time to Prepare Is NOW

This delay is not a reprieve—it’s a warning shot. CMS has made it clear that enforcement is only going to get tougher, not softer. Nursing homes have been given a short window to refine their processes, and failure to do so will come at a high cost.

Let me be clear, April 28, 2025, is not the date to start preparing—it’s the deadline. If you wait until the last minute, you’re setting your facility up for deficiencies, citations, and financial penalties.

Here’s the reality:

1.???? ?Surveyors will be more prepared than ever. They will be trained extensively on this guidance, and they will be looking for compliance failures.

2.???? Staffing and PBJ documentation will be under the microscope. If you don’t have accurate reporting and clear policies, you will be cited.

3.???? Proactive facilities will thrive, reactive ones will suffer. Those who invest in compliance now—through staff training, internal audits, and strong corrective action plans—will stay ahead of the curve.

This is the moment where leaders separate themselves from the rest. Take the time, take the training, and take this seriously. The industry is evolving, and those who fail to adapt will be left behind.

The extra month is a gift—use it wisely.

We would like to thank Jodi Eyigor at LeadingAge for her advocacy on this delay.

The clock is ticking. Will you be ready? Call for HELP NOW. DON'T WAIT TILL YOU GET CITED. Let InsPAC help you with structured and evidence-based systems and processes and PCC overview. Reach out TODAY.

Aysha Kuhlor MSN, RN, PAC-NE

Chief Clinical Advisor

Phone: 808-688-7459

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.theinspac.com

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