After a bumpy three-month ride, PBJ reporting is back on track for the quarter. In late March, CMS issued a staffing data submission waiver due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. On June 25, that waiver ended – which means PBJ reporting requirements for the quarter are back in effect. … Read More
CMS UPDATE: New guidance on PBJ reporting waiver
SimpleLTC has received new details from CMS regarding its recent PBJ reporting waiver. The original PBJ reporting waiver (issued two weeks ago) stated that nursing facilities do not have to submit Q1 (Jan. 1–Mar. 31) data by May 15. We reached out to CMS for additional clarification, which CMS provided … Read More
Instantly predict your Staffing Five-Star
How to use ezPBJ’S real-time Five-Star predictor ezPBJ’s Five-Star Staffing Projections show your expected Five-Star rating for the active, current quarter – anywhere from 4 to 6 months before CMS publishes your rating to Nursing Home Compare. The staffing Five-Star projection is built on multiple data points, including: Reported PBJ … Read More
Weekends are now made for PBJ
In its recent letter to State Survey directors, CMS announced an increased focus on nurse staffing levels and sharing of Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data with state survey agencies. States will be notified of underperforming facilities, for issues including: Facilities with “low” nurse staffing on weekends Facilities showing days without an on-site RN (possible … Read More
Meal breaks eating away at Star ratings
With the latest update to the PBJ Policy Manual, CMS makes very clear its rules on removing meal breaks from Payroll-Based Journal reports. Take note: ALWAYS remove 30 minutes for lunch in your PBJ reports. Even when your staff works through lunch, those 30 minutes CANNOT be reported. Download the PBJ Policy Manual here. CMS explicitly … Read More