Surveyors have new guidance from CMS on procedures for the informal dispute resolution (IDR) process for both home health and hospice providers.
CMS released the update to chapter 10 of the State Operations Manual on May 10. The revisions also include guidance on recommending and imposing alternative sanctions for home health agencies and hospice enforcement remedies.
In a message to state survey leaders, CMS notes it has the authority to impose the alternative sanctions or enforcement remedies of civil money penalties, directed in-service training, directed plans of correction, suspension of payment for new admissions and temporary management on home health agencies or hospice programs found to have condition-level deficiencies.
An IDR process for hospice was included in the 2024 home health final rule as part of increasing regulations around hospice surveys, including a special focus program targeting hospice providers with survey deficiencies.