CMS Releases SNF FY 2017 Proposed Rule

On April 21, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the skilled nursing facility (SNF) proposed rule for FY 2017 for services reimbursed under Medicare Part A benefits. Based on the proposed rule, CMS projects payments for SNF’s will increase by 2.1% in FY 2017 compared to FY 2016. The 2017 proposed rule adds to the list of quality measures that will be required of SNFs beginning in 2018 to include data on discharge to community, Medicare spending per beneficiary, and potentially preventable 30-day readmissions. The proposal also stipulates that by 2020, SNFs will be required to supply reports on drug regimen reviews with follow-up.

Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until June 20, 2016. To access the proposed rule, click HERE. To access the CMS fact sheet on the FY 2017 SNF proposed rule, click HERE.