Revised Long-Term Care Surveyor Guidance

•Revised Surveyor Guidance: CMS is releasing the following guidance and associated training for nursing home surveyors: Phase 2 and 3 Requirements: Clarifications and technical corrections of Phase 2 guidance issued in 2017, and new guidance for Phase 3requirements which went into effect in November 28, 2019. Arbitration Requirements: Guidance on the new requirements which became effective September 16, 2019. •Effective Date: Surveyors will begin using this guidance to identify noncompliance on October 24, 2022. This will allow for ample time for surveyors and facilities to be trained on this new information. •Training Resources: Training on guidance for surveyors and providers will be available upon release of this memorandum. •Complaint and Facility Reported Incidents (FRIs): CMS revised the guidance in Chapter 5 and related exhibits of the State Operations Manual (SOM) to strengthen the oversight of nursing home complaints and FRIs. CMS also revised its guidance for all Medicare-certified provider/supplier types to improve consistency across the State agencies in their communication to complainants. •Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide: CMS revised guidance to clarify the reasonable person concept and examples across the different severity levels.