CMS Reopens CMP Program (SNF)
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-23-23-NH, which updates and reopens the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP). CMS reports that program revisions were made because approved projects were growing in cost and scope, causing inconsistent availability and inequities for accessing available funds nationwide. The QSO memo shares an opportunity regarding Wi-Fi access and outlines allowable and non-allowable funds use. Click here for a new CMRP application.
Facility-Wide Wi-Fi Access
CMS requests that any nursing facility without Wi-Fi access for all residents complete the form on page 15 and submit it to CMS by December 22, 2023. CMS will assess the number of facilities without full resident access to Wi-Fi to determine if CMP funds may be used for a project to help address this issue.
Allowable Uses of CMPRP Funds
The following categories are allowable uses for CMPRP funds:
- Resident or Family Councils
- Consumer Information
- Training to Improve Quality of Care
- Activities to Improve Quality of Life
- CMS Developed Global Public Health Emergency (PHE) Applications
- Emergency Use for States
- Administrative Use for States
- Travel Costs for Implementation of Projects
The QSO memo also provides clarification on the requirement for letters of nursing facility support for CMP projects. If anyone other than a nursing facility provider applies for CMPRP funding, they must provide a letter of support from each facility, prior to receiving funding.
Non-Allowable Uses of CMP Reinvestment Funds
CMS also provides an updated list of non-allowable uses of CMP funds for projects. Most notably, funds will no longer be used for highly sophisticated technology projects, such as telemedicine, virtual reality or artificial intelligence. In addition, Mental and Behavioral Health applications will no longer be accepted since there is a current project for these services being carried out by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
If you have CMPRP program questions, email [email protected] or visit the new CMPRP website for an updated FAQ.