The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has long identified staffing as one of the vital components of a nursing home’s ability to provide quality care. CMS has utilized staffing data for a myriad of purposes in an effort to more accurately and effectively gauge its impact on quality of care in nursing homes. We post staffing information on the CMS Nursing Home Compare website and it is used in the Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System to help consumers understand the level and differences of staffing in nursing homes.
Section 6106 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires facilities to electronically submit direct care staffing information (including agency and contract staff) based on payroll and other auditable data. The data, when combined with census information, can then be used to report on the level of staff in each nursing home, as well as employee turnover and tenure, which can impact the quality of care delivered.
Therefore, CMS has developed a system for facilities to submit staffing information – Payroll Based Journal (PBJ). This system allows staffing information to be collected on a regular and more frequent basis than previously collected. It is auditable to ensure accuracy. All long term care facilities have access to this system at no cost. Information on registration and training is available in the Downloads section of this page below.
The first mandatory reporting period began July 1, 2016. Submissions must be received by the end of the 45th calendar day (11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time) after the last day in each fiscal quarter to be considered timely.