The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has notified State Survey Agency Directors of the suspension of non-emergency inspections to allow for a more focused approach on addressing the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Please see the memo, Ref: QSO-20-12-All, on the CMS website for full details regarding this action.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has notified State Survey Agencies and providers to ensure compliance with safety standards, infection control procedures and laboratory testing for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Please see the CMS Newsroom Press release issued February 6, 2020 for the full text. Information about the 2019 novel coronavirus is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Details regarding incubation, spread,...

Hospice agencies who are due for renewal of their HHS contract are required to complete both a Data Use Agreement (DUA) and a Security and Privacy Initial Inquiry (SPI). At this time, it is unclear which, if any, hospice subcontractors (such as DME, pharmacy, etc.) must be covered by the DUA. Each agency will have to assume responsibility for deciding which sub-contractors meet the standard of inclusion. The SPI requires you to have a DUA policy which HCL is preparing now and will be sent to...