CMS Midwest Division of Survey and Certification LTC Update

CMS has made revisions to the QIS training procedures for State Survey Agencies (SA) and Regional Offices (RO). There are four revisions for the QIS to follow. 1) Eliminate the mock survey and replace it with a survey for record; 2) Eliminate the T3.5 process formerly called “The Trainer Instructor Training”; 3) Update the compliance process and associated tool used for evaluating surveyors; and, 4) Clarify the role of Certified Trainers. Please note that these revisions do not replace the structure programs each SA and RO is required to have as outlined in Exhibit 42 of the State Operations Manuel (SOM). To read the entire revision, please click here.

CMS has also sent a guidance to clarify policies regarding SA release of data and documents to Medical Fraud Control Units (MFCU). The guidance reiterates the legal requirements SA has in regards to share Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) Complaint Tracking System (ACTS) data, Long-Term Care Minimum Data Set (MDS) data, and survey documents with their state MFCU upon receipt of a written request. The CMS new guidance memorandum and MFCU letter to SA can be found by clicking here.