CMS RELEASES S&C MEMO RELATED TO PBJ

 

Click here to review the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Survey and Certification Memo released on Friday, March 18: Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) – Implementation of required electronic submission of Staffing Data for Long Term Care (LTC) Facilities.

 

The memo reminds providers of the voluntary PBJ submission period ending 6/30/16 and the mandatory submission period beginning 7/1/16. CMS reiterates the instructions on how to register for the PBJ and where to find instructions on data submission.

 

While most of the memo references information already posted and/or distributed, in a paragraph about enforcement, CMS states: “As providers are adjusting to this new requirement, we may refrain from imposing enforcement remedies (e.g., for good faith efforts). Additionally, we will provide feedback mechanisms to providers, such as warnings, that will help facilitate compliance with this requirement…” (emphasis added)

 

CMS POSTS UPDATED PBJ MANUAL

 

Click here to view the updated /final ‘Electronic Staffing Data Submission Payroll-Based Journal Long-Term Care Facility Policy Manual’ (PBJ Manual); Version 2; March 2016. All changes from the previous version of the PBJ policy manual are redlined.

 

The Changes to the PBJ Manual are not extensive. Included are clarifications that the PBJ requirements do not apply to swing-beds; on how to submit for staff who split their primary duties; and who should be reported under Administration Services.

 

DON’T FORGET, THE LEADINGAGE PBJ LISTSERV IS AVAILABLE

LeadingAge has established a new listserv to assist nursing care members in meeting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for electronic payroll-based nursing home staffing data collection (Payroll-Based Journal – PBJ).

 

This listserv will provide an opportunity for discussion and the exchange of information among members already participating in the voluntary collection and submission of data and those who are beginning the process. It will also be a forum/central location for PBJ-related updates and for questions for CMS and the posting of responses received. We urge you to subscribe and participate.

 

As with all of the listservs, members can subscribe to the PBJ listserv by updating their subscriptions via my.leadingage.

 

CMS PBJ WEB PAGE

 

For additional information on PBJ, please visit CMS.gov’s dedicated webpage which includes current and past news and information related to PBJ. Click here to be directed to CMS’ dedicated page