PBJ Audits are a key part of the Staffing Five Star methodology going forward based on the details shared by CMS with State Survey Agency Directors on how they will use Payroll-Based Journal data for Staffing Five Star measures.

Here’s what to watch for in preparing your PBJ submissions so that when you are audited, your report can meet the demands of auditors.

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“Gotchas to Watch for in PBJ Audits.” SimpleLTC, 4 May 2018, www.simpleltc.com/gotchas-to-watch-for-in-pbj-audits

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun a pilot testing program to audit Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data.

Granite Dolphin and Myers and Stauffer audit teams are focused on examining payroll records and other auditable data to identify if staffing is accurately reported based on paid hours. As such, information requested may include information from payroll, timekeeping systems, invoices or contracts for contracted staff and interviews with staff responsible for PBJ data entry and submission.

The audits may take place on or off site.

“Preliminary Testing Audits of PBJ Data.” FORVIS, 22 June 2017, www.forvis.com/article/2017/06/preliminary-testing-audits-pbj-data. No longer available.

CMS has announced in a letter addressed to skilled nursing facility administration that their PBJ staffing audit team will begin conducting audits of PBJ data submitted to CMS.

The letter states that the PBJ audit team will examine payroll records and other auditable data along with PBJ submission data to identify if staffing is being reported accurately based on hours staff are paid to work.

Hurlburt, Amanda. “CMS to Conduct Pilot Audit Process for PBJ.” The Post-Acute Advisor, 15 June 2017. No longer available.