Federal Shutdown Impact on Nursing Home Surveys
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that most Medicare-related survey and certification activities for nursing homes will be paused.
However, essential activities that are necessary for protecting life and safety will continue, including:
- Investigations of complaints or incidents involving Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) or individual harm
- Related enforcement actions
- Certain revisit surveys to prevent Medicare termination or payment denials
- Emergency responses, such as those related to public health emergencies or facility closures
During a lapse in appropriation, it is not legal for CMS or States … to carry out federal survey and certification activities beyond those deemed to be ‘excepted activities’.
Author's summary: Shutdown pauses nursing home surveys.