CMS announced the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) that it would give nursing home facilities an additional 18 months to meet the revised long term care facility requirements of participation. The agency also unveiled a new survey process for long term care facilities to ensure national consistency. Facilities that fall short on complying with the phase 2 requirements of participation during the 18-month transition period will not face fines or civil monetary penalties, but instead will be asked to invest...