Senator Letter to CMS on SNF Staffing Ratings

Senator Ron Wyden has sent a letter to the CMS  administrator about CMS' staffing ratings of SNFs. His letter points out discrepancies between self-reported data and the newly required payroll data that leads to his concerns that the correctness of the information shared with residents and families

Senator Wyden has asked five  questions, seeking replies by August 24, 2018.

1. What are the requirements and safeguards CMS has in place to ensure SNFs provide accurate information as part of the 5-Star Quality Rating System. How are these requirements enforced?

2. Please provide an analysis of the difference in staffing levels of SNFs between the self-reported methodology and the payroll data methodology?

3. What does CMS plan to do in the instances where payroll data illustrates the self-reported staffing data was inaccurate?

4. Would CMS consider updating the current staffing quality measures to, in addition to measuring average staffing levels, take into account inappropriate fluctuations in staffing that may lead to patients receiving inadequate care?

5. Would CMS consider measuring patient and/or family satisfaction as part of the 5-Star Quality Rating System?