Relief for CMS Regulations

As part of President Trump's 3/13 Emergency Declaration CMS is waiving key regulations. The Fact Sheet lists all changes. Of particular relevance to rural are the CAH changes: 

Critical Access Hospitals

CMS is waiving the requirements that Critical Access Hospitals limit the number of beds to 25, and that the length of stay be limited to 96 hours.

There are additional provisions for skilled nursing beds, home health and more.

A press release outlining CMS announcement can be found here:  https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-takes-action-nationwide-aggressively-respond-coronavirus-national-emergency

A fact sheet outlining these actions can be found here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid19-emergency-declaration-health-care-providers-fact-sheet.pdf

Pat Justis, MAExecutive Director
Rural Health/Office of Community Health Systems
Health Systems Quality Assurance
Washington State Department of Health

Patricia.justis@doh.wa.gov
360-236-2805 | www.doh.wa.gov
Mobile 360-338-2875