CMS Repeals Long-term Care Facilities Minimum Staffing Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule with a comment period that repeals the minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities.

CMS previously finalized a rule that established a minimum total of 3.48 hours of nursing care per day, including 0.55 hours from a registered nurse per resident per day and 2.45 hours from a nurse aide per resident per day. The rule also required each facility to have a registered nurse on-site 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

The new rule would repeal this requirement and reinstate the minimum statutory R.N. staffing requirement for LTC facilities to use the services of an R.N. at least eight consecutive hours per day, seven days per week.

CMS also is reinstating a rule requiring an R.N. to serve as the director of nursing on a full-time basis.

MHA published an issue brief with additional information.