NPs can do Nursing Home Admissions

Good Afternoon, 

After consultation with The Vermont Department of Aging & Independent Living (DAIL) during this time of COVID-19 crisis they are alining with CMS and will allow NPs in Vermont who meet all other criteria to do admission's to Nursing homes. 

NP's not being able to do Nursing Home Admissions has long been a CMS rules barrier however AANP advocated for this rule to be removed and on April 9, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new Medicare waivers pursuant to the COVID-19 public health emergency that have the intent of maximizing the frontline health care workforce. 

This includes a waiver specific to NPs (below) that address longstanding Medicare barriers. As
with all COVID-19 Medicare waivers, it is important to remember that they are in effect for the duration
of the public health emergency and they still defer to state law.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) — Currently, federal SNF regulations require that physicians
perform the initial patient visit and that they alternate performance of the other mandatory
monthly and bi-monthly visits. CMS is waiving these requirements to authorize NPs, clinical
nurse specialists (CNSs) and physician assistants (PAs) to perform all mandatory SNF visits at
the discretion of the facility, if they are not an employee of the facility and if they are
performing the visits in accordance with state law.

Reference: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/summary-covid-19-emergency-declaration-
waivers.pdf 

Please check with your facilities and Medical Directors prior to any changes in your facility. 

Michelle