To help address persistent and widespread nursing home problems, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a rule on April 22, 2024, requiring, for the first time, that nursing homes provide minimum numbers of nursing staff time per resident. In addition, the rule requires that facilities implement an “efficient process for consistently assessing and documenting the necessary resources and staff that the facility requires to provide ongoing care for its population that is based on the specific needs of its residents.”
The purpose of this assessment requirement is to ensure that the facility is providing higher levels of staff than those in the minimum staffing rule if that is needed to provide good care and dignified conditions for all of their residents.
While the staffing requirements won’t go into effect for several years, the assessment requirement is effective 90 days after publication of the new rule. The rule was officially published on May 10, 2024. Thus, the assessment requirement is effective on August 8, 2024.
It is mandatory for facilities to “solicit and consider” input from residents, resident representatives, and family members in the assessment process. This page provides links to a fact sheet with information and tips on how residents and families can provide input to this important process and other resources.
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