CMS Outlines Actions States Can Take to Use Medicaid Payments to Improve NH Staffing

To drive better health outcomes for nursing home (NH) residents and improve staff pay, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued an informational bulletin outlining actions states can take to use existing Medicaid authorities.

The bulletin also provides examples of current state Medicaid initiatives that support this work, noted CMS.

“Medicaid enrollees residing in NHs will only experience better care through collaboration between states, CMS, providers, and other partners, and we look forward to working closely with them on this important effort,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.

CMS is encouraging states to tie Medicaid payments to quality measures that will improve the safety and quality of care to ensure NHs are properly staffed and resourced.

“We know that low wages for staff can contribute to frequent turnover and dangerous staffing shortages at NHs, so we encourage states to work with these facilities to find solutions for training and improving staffing,” said Administrator Brooks-LaSure.

As an alternative to institutional care, CMS is working to strengthen the availability of Medicaid covered home and community-based services (HCBS).

States are planning to invest $25 billion to expand, enhance, and strengthen HCBS, which is the largest investment to date.

“Our loved ones living in nursing homes deserve the highest quality of care, dignity, and respect,” said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We call on all states to work with us and ensure everyone has access to the high-quality care they deserve.”

Reference:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS encourages states to use Medicaid payments to nursing homes to drive better health outcomes for residents, improve staffing. [news release]. Published online August 22, 2022. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-encourages-states-use-medicaid-payments-nursing-homes-drive-better-health-outcomes-residents