Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Here's what CMS wants surveyors to look for.

Nursing homes getting surveyed may soon find themselves dealing with more attention paid to the medication pass.

In a June 12 letter to state survey directors (S&C-03-24), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services clarifies its expectations of surveyors on this front. Among the requirements: Surveyors should observe a minimum of 20-25 opportunities for error relating to multiple individuals administering meds in as many routes of administration as possible. Surveyors should also take care to ensure that their observations involve a sample of residents whose care needs are representative of the facility, CMS says.

The agency also encourages surveyors to observe medication passes during different shifts.

To see the letter, go to www.cms.gov/medicaid/ltcsp/sc0324.pdf.