CMS released its final rule for fiscal year 2018 payment rates and quality programs for skilled nursing facilities.
Here are three things to know.
1. For fiscal year 2018, the payment rates under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities will increase 1 percent compared to fiscal year 2017, in accordance with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. CMS estimates payments to SNFs will increase $370 million in fiscal year 2018.
2. CMS also finalized proposed revisions to the SNF quality reporting program for pressure ulcers and eliminated the all-cause readmission measure from the program. The final rule also includes a value-based purchasing program slated to begin Oct. 1, 2018. The program will assess readmission rates and other specified measures.
3. The SNF final rule takes effect Oct. 1, 2017.