Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has temporarily waived or modified certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements to help health care providers meet patient needs during the H1N1 flu pandemic. The requirements relate to the Medicare conditions of participation, certification and deadlines; health professional licensure; the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act and privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; physician self-referral; and Medicare Advantage payment limits for out-of-network services.
Hospitals can petition their state survey agency or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regional office for any of these Section 1135 waivers, which take effect at 5 p.m. Eastern Time Oct. 29 and will be retroactive to Oct. 23. In addition, CMS on Oct. 27 issued guidance on hospital alternative care sites related to payment, conditions of participation and standards of care.
[ via AHA News Now ]
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