CMS flexibilities available for hospitals that see COVID-19 surges

The American Hospital Association (AHA) is reminding members they may request a delay of their next survey by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) if they are facing a COVID-19 surge. In a June letter, CMS told AHA it will consider whether the hospital has notified the appropriate state public health agency and activated its emergency preparedness plan in evaluating the request. CMS will also consider the proportion of hospital staff and resources dedicated to managing COVID-19 patients. “Hospitals in these circumstances should notify their State Survey Agency as soon possible, who will then coordinate with their CMS Location to consider a short-term, hospital-specific survey suspension,” CMS said. To ask CMS to delay their next survey, hospitals should submit a flexibility request. (AHA News article, 8/18/21)