Compliance is the Floor: Turning F-605 Into a Growth Strategy

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)’s new definition of F-605, moving unnecessary psychotropics to an abuse tag, stands out as a call to action for providers. (“New CMS Guidance: Prevent Unnecessary Psychotropic Medications”, 2025) Meeting the CMS requirements for F-605 isn’t just about avoiding another drug-related tag. It’s the baseline for the survival of your 5-star rating. But what if compliance with F-605 could be more than a box to check? What if it could become a launchpad for better outcomes, stronger referrals, and sustained growth in census?

This approach redefines F-605 from a compliance hurdle into an opportunity for measurable progress. Let’s look deeper at what F-605 really means – and how this perspective can be put to work.

The purpose of F-605 is straightforward: to protect residents from unnecessary medications, specifically psychotropics and especially antipsychotics. CMS requires that facilities ensure psychotropics are used only when clinically appropriate, with documented attempts at gradual dose reduction, and only after non-pharmacologic interventions have been attempted. (“F-Tag 605: Right to be Free from Chemical Restraints”, 2025)

The recent survey updates have significantly raised the stakes. Facilities now face heightened scrutiny of prescribing patterns, documentation, and interdisciplinary approaches. (“F605 Gradual Dose Reduction Updates for Nursing Homes”, 2025) In practical terms, surveyors are increasingly likely to cite deficiencies if facilities fail to demonstrate both medical necessity and absence of negative drug effects. (“Psychotropic Meds: Chemical Restraint and Staff “Convenience” – CMS F605”, 2025) For instance, recent findings have shown that facilities cited for deficiencies in F-605 have faced financial penalties averaging $10,000, suffered a drop in their star ratings, and had a red flag for abuse on the CMS Compare site, which has impacted their reputation and marketability. These penalties and impacts are based on national averages; however, it’s essential for administrators to verify how they may vary by state to understand how this applies to their specific context.

Too often, facilities fall into a reactive mode, scrambling to respond when surveyors arrive. This keeps operators in a defensive posture, always trying to “survive the survey.” Many competitors continue to offer compliance services based on this reactive mindset.

The result? Facilities meet the minimum but remain trapped in the ‘Survey Survival Spiral,’ a cycle that locks operators in crisis mode and prevents growth beyond basic compliance.

At Eventus WholeHealth, we see compliance as just one outcome of our program. Our distinctive care model integrates behavioral health, primary care, and operational services to enhance patient health and differentiate our facilities. Through true integration, our system empowers facilities to address issues proactively rather than reactively, making compliance an organic result of our approach.

Instead of waiting for surveyors to identify problems, we prevent them by addressing issues upstream through reducing unnecessary medications, aligning teams around consistent care, and ensuring that documentation reflects best practices.

Eventus partners experience specific benefits: reduced unnecessary antipsychotic use, greater behavioral health stability, improved star ratings, and enhanced reputations with families, referral sources, and payers. These outcomes demonstrate how our integrated model directly contributes to a facility’s growth and success.

For instance, a facility in the Midwest that partnered with Eventus WholeHealth saw a 30% reduction in antipsychotic usage within six months. This change resulted in an increase in their CMS star rating from three to four stars, thereby enhancing their appeal to families and new residents. This real-world example underscores the transformative power of our approach in everyday operations.

Our approach links compliance with tangible census growth. Utilizing clinical improvements and analytics, Eventus WholeHealth enables facilities to demonstrate measurable value to CMS, corporate leaders, managed care payers, and new partners. For example, a documented reduction in psychotropic drug use can decrease rehospitalization rates, resulting in significant cost savings and supporting stronger payer contract negotiations. (Herceg, 2008) These real-world results address C-suite priorities, increasing a facility’s attractiveness for strategic opportunities.

This positions operators for mergers, acquisitions, payer contracts, and long-term growth. While compliance keeps the doors open, proactive excellence attracts new residents.

Eventus supports facilities through:

Deprescribe First: Integrated behavioral and primary care teams focused on deprescribing and non-drug interventions.

Predictive Dashboards: Analytics dashboards that track and trend compliance alongside clinical outcomes.

Proactive Reviews: Proactive clinical reviews that keep facilities ahead of surveyors.

Excellence in Workflow: Training and operational alignment that hardwires excellence into daily workflows.

F-605 serves as a reminder that compliance is the minimum standard. Eventus WholeHealth helps facilities build far above it, turning regulations into a growth engine through proactive, integrated, and operationally sound care.

Don’t let compliance be your only strategy. Contact Eventus WholeHealth now to transform regulatory requirements into your competitive advantage. Click HERE to schedule your personal metrics review and start your facility’s growth journey today.

Written by Dr. Monica Leriger

Citation: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/guidanceforlawsandregulations/downloads/appendix-pp-state-operations-manual.pdf