011.01
COLLECTION AND USE OF CIVIL MONEY PENALTY (CMP) FUNDS.
The Nebraska Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Program is administered by the
Department in accordance with Section 1919(h)(3)(C)(ii)(IV)(ff) of the Social
Security Act,
42 CFR 488.400
through
488.456
and Nebraska Revised State Statutes
71-2097
to
71-20,101.
011.01(A)
ASSESSMENT OF
PENALTY. The Division of Public Health of the Department of Health
and Human Services is authorized to act as the survey and certification agency
for the Medicaid program pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-604.03. The Division of
Public Health notifies the Department of any violation by a nursing facility
(NF), as defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-2097. Civil penalties will be determined
pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 712097 to 71-20,101. Upon the recommendation of the
Civil Money Penalty (CMP), the Department issues a certified letter to the
provider according to
42 CFR
488.434.
011.01(B)
APPEAL.
See 471 NAC 2.
011.02
CIVIL MONEY PENALTY (CMP) EMERGENCY PAYMENTS. Civil
money penalty (CMP) funds collected by the State are applied to actions for the
protection of the health or property of nursing facility residents.
011.02(A)
EMERGENCY FUND
REASONS. Funds may be allocated for the following reasons:
(i) To cover payment for the non-reimbursed
costs of protecting residents or relocating residents to other facilities in
the event of a qualifying natural disaster or nursing facility (NF)
closure;
(ii) State costs related
to the operation of a facility pending correction of deficiencies or
closure;
(iii) Reimbursement of
residents for personal funds or property lost at a facility as a result of
actions by the facility or by individuals used by the facility to provide
services to residents; and
(iv)
Other activities that benefit nursing home residents as provided in
42
C.F.R. 488.433.
011.02(B)
NURSING FACILITY (NF)
CONTINGENCY TEAM. Upon notification to the nursing facility (NF)
contingency team of the existence of an emergency situation the contingency
team convenes. The team includes the Division of Public Health Licensure Unit,
Office of Long Term Care Facilities, a representative from Medicaid, the State
Long Term Care Ombudsman, a representative from the Nebraska Department of
Health and Human Services Public Relations, and the Department legal counsel
for Long Term Care Facilities. The team considers the situation and options and
recommends access to funds for the relocation of residents or the maintenance
of facility operations until such a time as relocation can occur.
011.02(C)
FINAL APPROVAL FOR USE
OF CIVIL MONEY PENALTY (CMP) FUNDS. The final determination to
submit the request to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for use
of Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds is made by the Department Chief Executive
Officer (CEO). Per CFR 42 488.433(b) all activities and plans for utilizing
Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds, including any expense used to administer
grants utilizing Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds, must be approved in advance
by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
011.03
CIVIL MONEY PENALTY GRANT
FUNDING. This program is funded through the collection of Civil
Money Penalties (CMPs) imposed against nursing facilities as a result of survey
deficiencies. Eligible applicants must apply for grant funding during the
designated application period and submitting it as directed by the Department.
011.03(A)
ELIGIBLE
APPLICANTS. Civil Money Penalty (CMP) grant funding may be
requested by eligible stakeholders, which include:
(i) Nebraska Medicaid-participating nursing
facilities and their residents;
(ii) Professional and state nursing facility
(NF) associations and advocacy groups;
(iii) Consumer advocacy
organizations;
(iv) Resident or
family councils;
(v) Nursing
facility (NF) resident quality improvement organizations; private contractors;
and
(vi) Other groups approved by
Medicaid indicating an interest in the care and wellbeing of nursing facility
(NF) residents.
011.03(B)
ELIGIBLE
PROJECTS. Civil Money Penalty (CMP) grant funding is considered
for the following projects:
(i) Culture
change;
(ii) Resident or family
councils;
(iii) Direct improvements
to quality of care or resident protection;
(iv) Quality improvement activities or
resources;
(v) Consumer
information; and
(vi) Training in
facility improvement initiatives for staff to:
(1) Improve performance; or
(2) Develop new or innovative approaches to
improve the quality of life and care for residents.
011.03(C)
PROHIBITED
USE OF CIVIL MONEY PENALTY (CMP) FUNDS. Civil Money Penalty (CMP)
fund requests will not be considered if any of the following apply:
(i) Conflict of interest or the appearance of
a conflict of interest;
(ii)
Long-term projects, with a duration greater than 3 years;
(iii) Duplication of payment that is already
appropriated from state or federal sources;
(iv) Capital improvement projects;
(v) Temporary manager salaries; or
(vi) Ineligible recipients. This includes
nursing facilities (NFs) who were cited with an immediate jeopardy (IJ)
violation or harm at deficiency level H or I during their previous standard
survey. Any exceptions must be approved through Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS).
011.03(D)
GRANT FUND
DETERMINATION. Designated Medicaid and Public Health staff review
grant applications based upon compliance with Civil Money Penalty (CMP) laws
and regulations. The final decision is made by the Director of Medicaid. Final
approval is granted by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS).