The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its annual 2016-17 Nursing Home Action Plan, which focuses on improving safety and quality in the nursing home industry. The majority of the plan centers on increasing consumer awareness and assistance in navigating the nursing home care for a loved one. The CMS website now will provide improved staffing data for facilities, drawing from the payroll-based staffing data submitted by facilities, which became mandatory on July 1, 2016.
CMS intends to finalize the eligibility requirements for nursing home participants by September of this year. A portion of these revised regulations includes streamlining of the complaint process and modifying the survey methodology in order to ensure more guidance and training for surveyors. The plan proposes an additional appropriate of $50 million in order to revamp the survey system.
From an enforcement perspective, CMS will work to achieve transparency and consistency in enforcement actions by partnering with more regional, state, and federal agencies, associations, and consumer advocate groups. Those nursing homes that consistently perform poorly will be designated “special focus facilities,” which will be subject to pilot programs designed to more consistently monitor these facilities.
Finally, the 2016-17 Action Plan aspires to address several different areas of quality improvement, including the reduction of antipsychotic medication usage, physical restraints, and chemical restraints. These are only a few of the much-needed improvements that are necessary to raise the quality of care offered in nursing homes nationwide.
If you or a loved one is seriously injured as a result of negligence by a nursing home or its staff, or your family has suffered the loss of a loved one due to the negligent behavior of nursing home staff, you may be entitled to compensation. This inquiry involves determining which party or entity was at fault for the incident that led to your, acted negligently, or otherwise caused the situation that led to injuries or death of a loved one. At Boller & Vaughan, our Madison elder abuse attorneys can help you with these determinations, and support you through any personal injury or wrongful death claims that you may have.
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We live in Friendship, Wisconsin, and Boller & Vaughan came to our doorstep to discuss our mother’s wrongful death claim on a Saturday morning. Not only were we pleased with the large recovery, we were so thankful to have lawyers who were willing to explain to us every twist and turn along the way. It is great to know there is a law firm that will fight for the rights of elderly people all over Wisconsin.
Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan were incredible in working on my case and my daughter’s case. I was out of work and in the hospital with a new baby. Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan protected our rights and it was a pleasure to work with them. I hope never to be in another motor vehicle accident, however, if I am and I am injured, I will contact Boller & Vaughan immediately.
I was referred to Michelle through a friend. I have never had a better experience. It took a little over a year to get my settlement but the staff there stayed in constant contact and kept me in the loop. Oh, and Michelle actually got me MORE money than we discussed. I will refer anyone to this firm. Words cannot do justice the thanks that I have for Michelle and her staff (Mary especially) thank you guys so much!
After my husband died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Boller & Vaughan spent countless hours talking with me, meeting with me in person, and making sure that I was okay. The drunk driver who hit us did not have any insurance, and we had to make a claim through our own insurance. Boller & Vaughan was fantastic at explaining the law to me and the handling of our claims.
After my son was injured in a daycare setting, Ms. Vaughan took the time to thoroughly investigate our case and my son’s injuries. Michele was approachable and had answers to our questions. Talking with her helped to relieve many of our anxieties.
