(This is a corrected and revised version of an article on this subject that was posted June 6.)
The CMS is looking for a consultant to hear appeals when nursing homes disagree with a civil fine the agency has imposed for quality or safety issues.
Nursing homes receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds face inspections to assess compliance with federal participation requirements for quality of care. Usually these inspections are handled by state agencies. But the CMS sometimes has its own inspectors conduct reviews.
When the CMS finds that a facility falls short, it can levy a civil money penalty. If a nursing home operator disagrees with the findings or the amount of the fine imposed, the operator can ask for an independent informal dispute review, or IDR.
