CMS Announces Emergency Changes to SNF QRP Deadlines Due to SNF QRP Systems Problems

Dan Ciolek

AHCA received notification from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that they are making significant changes to the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) reporting deadlines and SNF QRP report availability due to system coding issues. The specific reports impacted are the Review and Correct Report and Confidential Feedback Report that SNFs use to help monitor compliance with Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 assessment-based quality measures, and identify assessments that may need updating.

The following is a summary of the issues and timeline changes:

Problems Identified

• The SNF QRP systems were not properly updating SNF performance when updated assessment records were submitted.
• The SNF QRP systems were improperly calculating the performance of the measure using MDS 3.0 Section GG items titled: Application of Percent of LTCH Patients with Admission and Discharge Functional Assessment and a Care Plan that Addresses Function (NQF#2631).

Data Submission Deadline Extension

• Due to the problems identified, CMS is eliminating the quarterly assessment data submission deadlines for calendar year (CY) 2017 and instead will permit SNFs to submit all CY 2017 SNF QRP assessment data, and any modifications, until May 15, 2018.
• Additionally, CMS will apply this deadline for all quarters of reporting to the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019) annual payment update determinations as well.
• CMS will permit previously submitted Q1 C Y2017 assessment data that have been “frozen” as of August 15, 2017, to be made available for updates as of mid-September 2017.  

Changes in SNF QRP Report Availability and Opportunity to Modify Records 

• Early September, 2017: Review and Correct Reports will be corrected to enable modified records.
• Mid-September, 2017: SNFs will be able to access, view and once again modify Q1 2017 data used in the SNF QRP assessment based quality measures.
• Early December: Updated Review and Correct Reports will include technical updates to the calculation of the measure Application of Percent of LTCH Patients with Admission and Discharge Functional Assessment and a Care Plan that Addresses Function.
• Early December: Release of the SNF QRP Confidential Feedback Reports (SNF QRP QM Reports).

CMS Indicates that they will continue to send follow-up announcements as each of these issues are resolved and further guidance can be given.

Additional information regarding guidance and timelines has been posted to the SNF Quality Reporting Program Data Submission Deadlines webpage.

If you have questions concerning this information, please contact the QTSO Help Desk at help@qtso.com or call 1-800-339-9313.