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Analysis of Proposed New Standards for Nursing Homes Participating in Medicare and Medicaid

HRD-81-50 Published: Feb 20, 1981. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 1981.
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Highlights

GAO analyzed the impact of changes in nursing home quality of care standards included in a regulation proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This regulation applies to nursing homes which participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. The two types of nursing homes which are affected by these changes are: (1) skilled nursing facilities, which provide covered care to Medicare and Medicaid patients; and (2) intermediate care facilities, which provide a slightly lower level of care and participate only in the Medicaid program administered by the States. Intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded are not affected by the proposed changes.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of HHS should direct the Administrator of Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to distribute guidelines and training aids free of charge to all participating facilities.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of HHS should direct the Administrator of HCFA to require the States to give the Department information on existing State requirements that are comparable to the proposed HHS new requirements.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of HHS should direct the Administrator of HCFA to modify the proposed conditions of participation to clearly define medication self-administration, including those pharmaceutical services standards for which the patients are accepting responsibility.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of HHS should direct the Administrator of HCFA to continue requiring State agencies to determine and report on compliance with individual requirements within a standard, should the Department elect not to cite facilities for noncompliance with requirements below the standard level.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of HHS should direct the Administrator of HCFA to establish uniform requirements for supervision of physican extenders under the Rural Health Clinic Services and long-term care programs.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
See All 5 Recommendations

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Topics

Health Care
Cost analysisFederal aid to statesFederal regulationsHealth care planningMedicareHealth care servicesLaw enforcementMedicaidNursing homesStandards evaluation