AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

2005 NH "Dear Administrator" Letters

July 6, 2005

ADSA: NH #2005-017
Changes in Federal Guidance - Medical Director

 Dear Nursing Facility/Home Administrator:

As you may know, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been working on changes to the F501 for Medical Directors.

On June 9, 2005, CMS issued a memo that spelled out the changes. While the regulatory language remains unchanged, there are definitional and best practice additions to the Guidance to Surveyors, a new Investigative Protocol, and compliance and severity guidance. The new guidance will be effective November 2005. An advance issuance has been released in order to permit facilities and medical directors to study the significantly revised and expanded guidance.

There has been no change to the federal requirements for Medical Directors. However, the changes in the guidance should assist you, your staff and your Medical Director in understanding the expectations of CMS. Nursing home surveyors will begin using the updated guidance, protocol, and compliance and severity guidance as of November 1, 2005.

The CMS website is the best source for accessing the most current information available. The changes can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/survey-cert/sc0529.pdf.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the nursing home residents in the state of Washington.

Sincerely,

Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services