Guidelines provided for CMS and deemed agency surveyors during pandemic

Posted on: 3/26/21

 
Federal and state surveyors are not required to be vaccinated and must be permitted entry into facilities unless they exhibit signs or symptoms of COVID-19. Surveyors should also adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention, and adhere to any COVID-19 infection prevention requirements set by state law (refer to QSO-20-39-NH). Even though this guidance from CMS was directed at nursing homes, this would also apply to all providers and suppliers.
 
Medicare or Medicaid providers must grant access to records requested by surveyors, pursuant to Section 1864(a) of The Social Security Act (The Act) and Federal regulations at 42 CFR 488.10 and 488.11. CMS may terminate the Medicare provider agreement of any provider that fails to grant immediate access to records upon a reasonable request to a state survey agency or other authorized entity for the purpose of determining, in accordance with 488.3, whether the provider or supplier meets the applicable requirements, conditions of participation, conditions for coverage, or conditions for certification. (LaWanna Halstead)