Special Focus Facility Revisions

On April 18, 2014 CMS issued S&C 14-20-NH (click here) concerning adjustments to the Special Focus Facility program for nursing homes.  As you may recall additional enrollment into the SFF program was put on hold during the FY2013 sequestration, and due to that budget sequestration the program is being re-built with a reduced number of slots.  For Indiana, effective May 1 the required number of SFF slots is 3 (down from 5) and the size of the candidate list is 15 (down from 20).  Note that the previous direction from CMS on “last chance” surveys for SFF facilities on the list for more than 12 months is still in effect.  Additional information appears to be forthcoming from CMS concerning the development of pilot programs for future adjustments to the SFF program.