CMS Releases SNF PPS Proposed Rule for FY 2022

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the fiscal year 2022 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Proposed Rule (CMS-1746-P). In addition to the SNF PPS updates, the proposed rule also includes proposals for the SNF Quality Reporting Programs (QRP), and the SNF Value-Based Programs (VBP). Below are some highlights of the proposed rule:

• CMS proposes an increase of 1.3%, or $444 million, in Medicare Part A payments to SNFs.
• Add two new quality measures for fiscal year 2023: vaccination rates among health care personnel staff and health care acquired infections.
• CMS is asking for feedback on a potential methodology for recalibrating the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) parity adjustment that would account for the potential effects of the COVID-19 PHE without compromising the accuracy of the adjustment. CMS also seeks comment on whether any necessary adjustment should be delayed or phased in over time to provide payment stability.
• CMS’ proposal to suppress the SNF 30-Day All-Cause readmission measure in the SNF VBP program for the FY 2022 because of circumstances caused by the COVID-19 PHE have affected the measure and the resulting performance scores significantly.

The Society will closely review the rule and make any necessary comments by the June 7 deadline.

Click here to read a summary.

Click here for the entire rule.