Both the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and LeadingAge issued press releases in response to the announcement pointing out the lack of a “standard and rational definition of both abuse and neglect,” and a “flawed survey system, in which interpretations of regulations are notoriously inconsistent.” Unsurprisingly, however, provider associations disagree.
CMS has stated that it will update the icon status on a monthly basis to guard against facilities being flagged for longer than necessary if they have remedied the underlying causes that led to the abuse citation(s).ĬMS categorizes the move as an effort to promote transparency and clarify the nuances associated with a facility’s overall quality of care. Specifically, CMS detailed in a September, 2019 update to its Nursing Home Compare, Five-Star Technical Users’ Guide that facilities would have an open palm icon in a red circle displayed next to their Nursing Home Compare listing if they received (a) an abuse citation where residents were found to be harmed (Scope/Severity Level G or higher) in their most recent standard survey or a complaint survey within the past 12 months, or (b) an abuse citation where residents were found to be potentially harmed (Scope/Severity Level D or higher) on the most recent standard survey or on a complaint survey within the past 12 months and on the second most recent standard survey or on a complaint survey conducted between 12 and 24 months.Īdditionally, nursing homes that receive the abuse icon will have their health inspection rating capped at a maximum of two stars, which will necessarily cap their overall rating at four stars.
23, 2019, it would begin displaying a consumer alert icon next to the Nursing Home Compare listing for facilities that have been cited for incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. As part of its five-part approach to ensuring safety and quality in nursing homes, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that as of October.