RIN Data

HHS/CMS RIN: 0938-AT36 Publication ID: Fall 2017 
Title: ●Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities: Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction (CMS-3347-P) 
Abstract:

This proposed rule would reform the requirements that long-term care facilities must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, that  CMS has identified as unnecessary, obsolete, or excessively burdensome on facilities. This rule would increase the ability of healthcare professionals to devote resources to improving resident care by eliminating or reducing requirements that impede quality care or that divert resources away from providing high quality care.

 
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services(HHS)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda   Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined 
EO 13771 Designation: Deregulatory 
CFR Citation: 42 CFR 483    42 CFR 488   
Legal Authority: sec.1819 and 1919 of the Social Security Act    sec.1819(d)(4)(B) and 1919 (d)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act    sec. 1819(b)(1)(A) and 1919 (b)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act   
Legal Deadline:  None

Statement of Need:

CMS is committed to transforming the healthcare delivery system, and the Medicare program, by putting an additional focus on patient-centered care and working with providers, physicians, and patients to improve outcomes. We seek to reduce burdens for long-term care facilities; healthcare professionals and residents; improve the quality of care; decrease costs; and, ensure that residents and their providers are making the best healthcare choices possible.   

We are therefore proposing revisions to the requirements that long-term care facilities must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs that would increase the ability of healthcare professionals to devote resources to improving resident care by eliminating or reducing requirements that impede quality care or that divert resources away from providing high quality care.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

This proposed rule is in accordance with the January 30, 2017 Executive Order Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs (E.O. 13771).

Alternatives:

For all of the proposed provisions, we considered not making these changes. Specifically, we considered the impact that any revisions would have on the health and safety of residents in long-term care facilities and if such revisions would realistically be burden reducing for facilities. Ultimately, we believe that the proposed revisions will be burden reducing and do not impede on the health and safety of residents. 

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

This proposed rule would create ongoing cost savings to long-term care facilities in many areas. In addition, various proposals would clarify existing policy and relieve some administrative burdens.

Risks:

Our estimates of the effects of this regulation are subject to significant uncertainty. While we are confident that these reforms would provide flexibilities to facilities that will yield major cost savings, there are uncertainties about the magnitude of these effects.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/00/2018 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Ronisha Blackstone
Director, Division of Institutional Quality Standards
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, MS: S3-02-01, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244
Phone:410 786-6882
Email: ronisha.blackstone@cms.hhs.gov