January 21, 2025

In this Issue:

1. Webinar Tomorrow on Recent Updates to Federal Nursing Home Surveyor Guidance
2. CMS Trainings on HCBS Provisions of Medicaid Access Rule
3. Justice in Aging Webinar on Protecting Medicaid for Older Adults
4. Webinar Series on Protecting Older Adults from Financial Exploitation

Webinar Tomorrow on Recent Updates to Federal Nursing Home Surveyor Guidance

On November 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released revised guidance to nursing home surveyors. They then released additional revisions on January 15, 2025. Read Consumer Voice’s updated detailed explanation of these changes. These important revisions address several areas, including:

• Prohibitions on third-party financial guarantees.
• Inappropriate transfers and discharges.
  
• Unnecessary use of psychotropic medications.
  
• Misdiagnosing residents with schizophrenia.
  
• Training resources and investigation of sufficient nursing staff.

Join us tomorrow, January 22 at 2:00pm ET, for a webinar detailing these and other important updates and how they will affect resident lives. We will be joined by Toby Edelman from The Center for Medicare Advocacy and Eric Carlson from Justice in Aging.

Register Now

CMS Trainings on HCBS Provisions of Medicaid Access Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a training series on the home- and community-based services (HCBS) provisions of the Medicaid Access Rule. The training sessions provide information on several key provisions of the rule to ensure understanding of the various HCBS provisions within the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services final rule and have an opportunity ask questions and provide feedback.

Register for trainings:

• May 14 at 3:00pm ET -  Timely Access, Waiting Lists, Person Centered Planning Reporting Requirements & Minimum Performance Levels, and Website Requirements
• June 11 at 3:00pm ET - Institutional Rule Provisions

Justice in Aging Webinar on Protecting Medicaid for Older Adults

Justice in Aging is hosting a webinar Tuesday, February 4th at 2:00pm ET on the importance of protecting Medicaid for older adults.  As Congressional leadership prepares their 2025 legislative agenda, reports show that Medicaid is at risk of being cut. The webinar will discuss what is at risk for older adults if policymakers cut Medicaid and provide an overview of how Congress can fast-track these cuts and expected timing. Presenters will recommend advocacy strategies and resources that attendees can use in their own states and communities.

Register Now

Website Highlight: Get Involved

Take action on long-term care issues by visiting our new "Get Involved" hub with steps to participate in advocating for quality long-term care and sharing your own experience.

Visit theconsumervoice.org/get-involved.