CMS is Tackling COVID-19 in Nursing Homes

As public offices and health industry experts stress the importance of data sharing toward improved COVID-19 surveillance and mitigation efforts in high-risk areas, the Department of Health and Human Services has released new data on nursing home infection rates.

Nursing homes have reported more than 60,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and almost 26,000 deaths as of May 24, after an interim final rule issued May 1 required nursing homes to report COVID-19 information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma in a press call Monday.

The final rule requires providers to submit weekly reports on COVID-19 infections, deaths of residents and staff, and other related data to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. This is to help inform decision-making on where to direct personal protective equipment and test supplies, as well as for general surveillance of infection cases.

Approximately 80% (or 12,500) nursing homes nationwide have submitted data.

The new data will be available for stakeholders and the public on Nursing Home Compare, a federal website with specific data on Medicare and Medicaid-funded nursing homes, said Verma.

The data is currently limited due to differing reporting methods from providers, though Verma said these discrepancies will change as more data becomes available. That rate of reported COVID-19 inspection data has also varied by date. Colorado, for example, had inspected 100% of its homes, while West Virginia inspected only 11%.

To encourage transparent reporting, the agency will impose civil monetary penalties. Nursing homes that don’t comply with this rule by the end of July may forfeit some funds granted by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

HHS released $4.9 billion in coronavirus relief funds in late May. Skilled nursing facilities were given a baseline of $50,000 and $2,500 per bed for those with six or more beds.

With the legislation, states will be required to monitor COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes with previous cases as well as those with new reports within three to five days of identification using on-site surveys.

The agency will also be providing training and technical assistance to nursing home faculty through its Quality Improvement Organizations and weekly National Infection Control Training to protect against the virus’ spread.