Non-sub change justification

Long-Term Care Hospital Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation Data Set (LTCH CARE Data Set)

Non-Substantive Change Request Justification

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting a non-substantive change request in response to the delay in the implementation of the Long-Term Care Hospital Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation Data Set (LTCH CARE Data Set or LCDS) Version 5.0. This delay is a result of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). In response to the PHE, CMS provided relief to the providers by delaying the implementation of LCDS V5.0.

Per CMS-5531-IFC, CMS will require LTCHs to start using LCDS V5.0 on October 1st of the year that is at least 1 full fiscal year after the end of the COVID-19 (PHE). For example, if the COVID-19 PHE ends on October 20, 2020, LTCHs will be required to begin collecting data using the updated versions of the item sets beginning with patients discharged on October 1, 2022. Until such time, LCDS V4.0 will stay in effect.

CMS informed the provider community about the delay on June 17, 2020. A reference to the announcement can be found on the LTCH QRP webpage found here

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/LTCH-Quality-Reporting/LTCH-CARE-Data-Set-and-LTCH-QRP-Manual

CMS is asking for approval for the previously approved LCDS V4.0 which the providers are currently using. The LCDS is used to collect, submit, and report quality data to CMS for compliance with the Long-Term Care Hospital Quality Reporting Program (LTCH QRP).

September 22, 2020 Page | 1