QIO Infection Control Surveys: (SNF)

Recently, some members have received written notification from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Michigan, Superior Health Quality Alliance, of required Infection Control Surveys. Be advised that after inquiring with CMS, the association has confirmed compliance with these notifications is completely voluntary and are not required. 

CMS specifically clarified to language in the notification letters requiring Action Plan submission, there are no CMS requirements for the nursing home to submit an action plan. If a nursing home accepts QIO assistance, then the QIO conducts a root cause analysis of the quality gaps, and helps the nursing home create an action plan for improvement. It is a joint effort. The QIO reports the start of the quality improvement work into a CMS database. CMS then requires the QIO to upload the action plan into our database within 30 days for monitoring purposes. There is no penalty for the nursing home if that doesn’t occur.

Please reach out to Cathy Sunlin at [email protected] if you are contacted by Superior Health QIO and experience any inconsistency with the clarification CMS has outlined above. We will continue to work with CMS to further improve how the QIOs are supporting what facilities need for assistance.