Survey Preparedness

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Skilled nursing centers and nursing facilities are required to follow extensive rules in the Requirements of Participation (ROP) to receive payment under the CMS Medicare or Medicaid programs. These requirements are contained in the Federal Regulations for Nursing Facilities, which also state each center must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes with accepted professional standards. The AHCA regulatory team provides members with guidance and resources to help them understand the survey process and implement the requirements.  

Need help locating a specific resource? 
>> Download the AHCA Regul​a​tory Resources Guide​ to access direct links to all available tools to help you prepare for surveys.

 SURVEY TIPS to Maintain Compliance

The AHCA regulatory team is developing survey tips to assist in maintaining compliance with skilled nursing regulations, as well as preparing for surveys. The team will review trends for citations and provide tips for staying in compliance with these regulatory areas.​​​

 SURVEY TIPS

 

 

CMS Posts Update to Nursing Home Critical Element Pathwayshttps://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Posts-Update-to-Nursing-Home-Critical-Element-Pathways-.aspxCMS Posts Update to Nursing Home Critical Element Pathways2/10/2026 5:00:00 AM<p></p><div>On February 4, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted an updated <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/zip/survey-resources.zip" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Survey Resource folder</a>, which included updates to several Critical Element Pathways (CEPs). </div><div><br></div><div>Most of the changes are typographical in nature, but the CEP CMS-20081 Respiratory Care did have several updates noted. These include: </div><div><br></div><div>A clarification was added regarding “No Smoking” signs for oxygen use. Previously, the CEP stated under “Observations”: “Are ‘No Smoking’ Signs present wherever oxygen is stored and/or administered;”.  The updated CEP now differentiates between smoking and non-smoking facilities. The updated CEP states the following regarding “Smoking Signs: </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><strong>Smoking facilities:</strong> Are doors labeled “No Smoking” at all locations where oxygen is stored or used? <br><br></li><li><strong>Non-smoking facilities:</strong> Are “No Smoking” signs posted at all major entrances and on doors to all oxygen storage locations? </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div>Nursing homes should review their policies and procedures to align with the updated guidance, provide education to staff of the changes to ensure compliance. Questions about the updated CEPs may be directed to <a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">regulatory@ahca.org</a>. <br></div><p>​</p>On February 4, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services posted an updated Survey Resource folder, which included updates to several Critical Element Pathways.
CMS Issues Memo to Outline Contingency Plans During Government Shutdownhttps://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Issues-Memo-to-Outline-Contingency-Plans-During-Government-Shutdown.aspxCMS Issues Memo to Outline Contingency Plans During Government Shutdown2/3/2026 5:00:00 AM<p>​<span style="color:#777777;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;">Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a </span><a title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=eyJkZWtJZCI6IjllNWM5ODYxLTliYTMtNDI2NC05NzdhLWYzYjAxNGE4NmZjMSIsImRla1ZlcnNpb24iOjEsIml2IjoiTFo5cEJ3N05ZdWJxdlRrS2tZMkhLZz09IiwiY2lwaGVyVGV4dCI6IjFhSldubldKS1JRTERYejl1UXlzd29aUVg0NW1qOGRpQWU3MzNFRW9tVmFiZm9JaGFOa2dwTmJJOHordWtwOU04SWlpV1FyQi8yUjgrN2xDYmNSRHpaUTNSWkJDRUMyZmFRY096V0xtNnIwNUNwR05oeW89IiwiYXV0aFRhZyI6Ii8yUjgrN2xDYmNSRHpaUTNSWkJDRUE9PSJ9" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=eyJkZWtJZCI6IjllNWM5ODYxLTliYTMtNDI2NC05NzdhLWYzYjAxNGE4NmZjMSIsImRla1ZlcnNpb24iOjEsIml2IjoiTFo5cEJ3N05ZdWJxdlRrS2tZMkhLZz09IiwiY2lwaGVyVGV4dCI6IjFhSldubldKS1JRTERYejl1UXlzd29aUVg0NW1qOGRpQWU3MzNFRW9tVmFiZm9JaGFOa2dwTmJJOHordWtwOU04SWlpV1FyQi8yUjgrN2xDYmNSRHpaUTNSWkJDRUMyZmFRY096V0xtNnIwNUNwR05oeW89IiwiYXV0aFRhZyI6Ii8yUjgrN2xDYmNSRHpaUTNSWkJDRUE9PSJ9&_gl=1%2a1arhx0b%2a_gcl_au%2aNTMyMTgzODE4LjE3Njc2NDY4MDg." data-linkindex="3" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank" style="font:inherit;border:0px;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)" class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-4">QSO memo</span></span></a><span style="color:#777777;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;"> outlining the contingency plan for state survey and certification activities during the federal government shutdown. The actions noted in the memo are similar to those from the shutdown in the fall of 2025 and went into effect on Saturday, January 31.  </span></p><div style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:15px;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><p class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody" class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><br>CMS states that if the shutdown is prolonged for a few weeks, it may provide further instructions.  However, as we shared on Friday, the partial government shutdown is anticipated to be resolved by Congress this week, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.</span></p></div><h4><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 115, 76)"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-3-0" style="text-decoration:underline;">Ongoing, Essential Functions During the Shutdown</strong>  </span></h4><div style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:15px;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><p class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">These CMS activities will continue during the government shutdown in order to ensure basic health and safety protections:</span></p></div><ol type="1" start="1" style="margin-bottom:0in;font-size:15px;"><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References"><strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Complaint Investigations and Facility Reported Incidents Alleging Harm:</span></strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"> State agencies are expected to conduct complaint investigations when the complaint was triaged as a credible allegation of immediate jeopardy or harm to an individual. CMS notes that the state is permitted to issue Form CMS 2567 to the provider and conduct any necessary communication and revisits to ensure deficiencies are addressed immediately.  </span></span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References"><strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Certain Federal Enforcement Actions:</span></strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"> If any enforcement actions are needed, because of a complaint investigation detailed in number one, state agencies must continue to process enforcement and transfer cases that meet the Immediate Imposition of Federal Remedies requirements, as these represent resident harm.  </span></span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References"><strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Revisit Surveys Approved by Exception and Necessary to Prevent Termination: </span></strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">State agencies may request approval to conduct revisits when a provider has alleged compliance, the revisit survey is needed to determine compliance and prevent the scheduled Medicare termination, and the Medicare termination is likely to occur due to timing or specific circumstances. Revisits can also occur to prevent a statutorily mandated (three-month) denial of payment for new admissions. The revisit may occur provided it meets the same timeframe as allowed for a mandatory DPNA.  </span></span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References"><strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Immediate Threat to Life or Safety (Emergencies or Natural Disasters):</span></strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"> State agencies are directed to take action to prevent or mitigate any other immediate threats to the life or safety of residents. This may be necessary during a public health emergency, for example.  </span></span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References"><strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Voluntary Nursing Home Closure: </span></strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">If a facility is voluntarily closing, the routine monitoring and oversight by the state agency can continue to ensure the orderly and safe relocation of residents.  </span></span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References"><strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Orderly Shutdown of Other Tasks: </span></strong><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">The memo notes that if tasks were being conducted on or prior to January 30, 2026, those tasks should be completed, if they can be completed within four hours. An example of this includes uploading completed survey information into iQIES.  Surveys conducted before the shutdown that do not fall within the categories outlined above, and for which a Form CMS-2567 was not issued before the shutdown, will be placed on hold and not released. CMS notes that specific instructions regarding these surveys will be issued at a later date. </span></span></li></ol><h4><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 115, 76)" class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-3-0"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Activities Suspended During a Federal Government Shutdown</span>  </strong></span></h4><ol type="1" start="1" style="margin-bottom:0in;font-size:15px;"><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Standard (Recertification) Surveys  </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Revisit Surveys, which do not meet the requirements in the section above (number 3). Desk revisits may be conducted for lower-level citations when needed to clear a DPNA or mandatory termination.  </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Initial Surveys  </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Initial Certifications  </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Complaint investigations that were not triaged at the immediate jeopardy or actual harm level.  </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Informal Dispute Resolutions (IDRs): No IDRs or Independent IDRs should be completed.  </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">New approvals for CMP-funded projects: New projects will not be approved during the federal government shutdown. However, if the project was already approved, facilities may proceed as planned.  </span></li></ol><h4><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 115, 76)" class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-3-0"><strong style="text-decoration:underline;">Survey and Certification Activities Not Affected</strong> </span></h4><ol type="1" start="1" style="margin-bottom:0in;font-size:15px;"><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">CLIA – Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments  </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">CMS or State Vendor Contracts awarded on or before January 31, 2026.   </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">State Funded Surveys – these are surveys that occur in addition to any federally required surveys.  </span></li><li class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Surveys of Medicaid-only facilities.  </span></li></ol><div style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:15px;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><p class="x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:aptos, sans-serif;"><span class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:arial, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">CMS notes that it will provide additional information if the shutdown continues longer than anticipated. For any questions, please email <a title="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org?subject=" href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org?subject=" data-linkindex="4" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank" style="border:0px;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)" class="ms-rteStyle-References" style="border:0px;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-4">regulatory@ahca.org</span></span></a>.   ​​</span></p></div>
CMS Issues Memo Outlining Revisions to the State Operations Manual – Chapters 5 & 7https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Issues-Memo-Outlining-Revisions-to-the-State-Operations-Manual-–-Chapters-5-&-7.aspxCMS Issues Memo Outlining Revisions to the State Operations Manual – Chapters 5 & 71/30/2026 5:00:00 AM<div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">​On January 30, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a 300-page</span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-26-03-nh.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> </span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-26-03-nh.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">memo</span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-26-03-nh.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> </span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">to state survey agencies outlining revisions to Chapters 5 and 7 of the State Operations Manual (SOM). A <a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/Member%20Summary%20-%20CMS%20Issues%20Memo%20Outlining%20Revisions%20to%20SOM.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">member-only summary​</a> is available for review (login required). </span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">CMS directs providers with questions to email </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:DNH_TriageTeam@cms.hhs.gov" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">DNH_TriageTeam@cms.hhs.gov</a></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">. Members may also email the </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">AHCA Regulatory Team</a></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">. </span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">For more detailed information on the changes, along with practical insights to help you navigate the updated requirements, please find a webinar on </span><a href="https://educate.ahcancal.org/products/updates-to-the-state-operations-manual-som-chapters-5-and-7#tab-product_tab_overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">ahcancalED</span></span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":476,"335559739":5,"335559740":249,"335559991":370}"> ​</span></div></div>
CMS Refreshes QCOR Reports Following Transition to iQIEShttps://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Refreshes-QCOR-Reports-Following-Transition-to iQIES -.aspxCMS Refreshes QCOR Reports Following Transition to iQIES1/27/2026 5:00:00 AM<p><br></p><div>The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has refreshed the Quality, Certification, and Oversight Reports (QCOR) on the <a href="https://qcor.cms.gov/main.jsp" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">S&C QCOR Home</a> website. This refresh follows the data freeze in July 2025 related to the transition from the legacy Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) to the cloud-based Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES).  </div><div><br></div><div>The refreshed QCOR reports currently available include:   </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li>Active Provider and Supplier Counts  <br><br></li><li>New Provider and Supplier Counts  <br><br></li><li>Terminated Provider Counts  <br><br></li><li>Survey Activity Report  <br><br></li><li>Deficiency Count Report  <br><br></li><li>Citation Frequency Report  </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://educate.ahcancal.org/products/qcor-and-cmp-analytical-tool-tutorials#tab-product_tab_overview" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">ahcancalED</a> offers a tutorial that describes how facilities can use QCOR to review trends and survey history data.  </div><div><br></div><div>If you have any questions, please contact <a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank"><strong>regulatory@ahca.org</strong></a><strong>. </strong>   <br></div><p>​<br></p>CMS has refreshed the Quality, Certification, and Oversight Reports QCOR on the S&C QCOR Home website.

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Toolkit
HealthCap Risk Manageme​​nt Services has released the 2022 Elopement ​Prevention & Management Toolkit.​

 Focus F-Tags: Guidance

On November 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released Revised Long-Term Care (LTC) Surveyor Guidance: Significant revisions to enhance quality and oversight of the LTC Survey Process.​ The memo included significant changes to guidance in Appendix PP related to the updated regulatory areas.​ The changes will be effective, and surveyors will begin surveying based on the revised guidance, on April 28, 2025.  ​
​
Please refer to Appendix PP Gu​​idance to Surveyor for Long Ter​m Care Facilities​​​ for the most up to date regulations and guidance.​​ ​

 F-Tag Action Tools

 F-Tag Action Briefs & Much More on ROP
Additional resources and tools to help you navigate the ROP are available on ahcancalED, including F-Tag Action Briefs, which complement the sum​m​a​ries above and highlight implementation strategies and tips​.  

 Provider Resources

 CMS Resources

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Blue Quick Links ‭[1]‬

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Blue Quick Links ‭[2]‬
​​​

Phase 3 Interpretive Guidance – Delayed

Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation (RoP) went into effect on November 28, 2019. However, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in a memo (QSO-20-03-NH) released on November 22, 2019, CMS will not be releasing the interpretive guidance (IG) for Phase 3 until the second ​quarter of 2020.  Read More>>​


 ‭(Hidden)‬ RESOURCES

 Questions?
Email regulatory@ahca.org​​ with any questions you have.

​

Access F-Tag Action Briefs & More ROP resources on ahcancalED​

 The Long Term Care Survey, Phase 3, Second Edition