CMS releases regulation making COVID-19 data reporting a COP

Posted on: 8/28/20

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this week issued an interim final rule that, among other provisions, makes collecting and reporting COVID-19 data a condition of participation (CoP) for hospitals that participate in Medicare. The rule, which is effective upon publication in the Federal Register, will require hospitals to report daily data including, but not limited to, elements such as the number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 positive patients, intensive care unit beds occupied, and availability of supplies and equipment, such as ventilators and personal protective equipment.

By making this data reporting a CoP, the penalty for a hospital’s noncompliance potentially may be termination from the Medicare program if appropriate corrective action is not taken. Read more here.