Fines Back for Nursing Home Violations But Expect Few Penalties

Fines are back on the table for nursing homes that violate eight federal health and safety requirements, but an 18-month grace period shows most facilities are ready, the industry says.

An 18-month moratorium on civil monetary penalties will end in May, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services resumes regular enforcement of eight guidelines that were part of a 2016 final rule that revamped nursing home care standards for the first time in more than 25 years.

Some of the soon-to-be enforced provisions deal with prescribing antibiotics and psychotropic drugs, on-site smoking policies, behavioral health services, and development of ...