On April 25, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued revision 113 to the State Operations Manual (“SOM”) governing skilled nursing and nursing facility survey and enforcement processes. Specifically, CMS updated the SOM Chapter 7 with an effective date of January 1, 2012 as the modifications were mandated by section 6111 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010. The major provisions related to guidance on the independent informal dispute resolution process; escrow of civil money penalty funds pending a formal appeal; a reduction of fifty percent (50%) for facilities that promptly correct self-reported non-compliance and guidance on the use of civil money penalty funds for the state agencies. As of today, the online CMS manual system does not include the updated guidance.

This guidance is available at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/Downloads/R113SOMA.pdf.