CMS proposes rule to reduce administrative burden for hospitals, other providers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nov. 5 proposed changes to Medicare’s Conditions of Participation and other administrative requirements that are intended to remove or revise obsolete, outdated and excessively burdensome regulations for hospitals and other healthcare providers. Some of CMS’ proposed changes reflect ideas the AHA shared with the administration in its list of 100 ideas for regulatory relief. Among the changes, CMS would revise its obstetrical services CoPs by eliminating certain staff training, quality assessment and performance improvement requirements. CMS also proposes new patient rights requirements related to birth tissue collection, including standards for obtaining informed consent and supporting families requesting birth tissue for cultural, religious or personal reasons.

For critical access hospitals, CMS proposes to clarify that CAH distance eligibility determinations are based on proximity to hospitals that provide acute care inpatient services or another CAH, rather than to hospitals that provide only specialty services such as a psychiatric or long-term acute care hospital. CMS also would implement new statutory requirements that allow CAHs that meet certain qualifying criteria to be exempt from the distance eligibility requirements.

CMS also proposes to remove COVID-19 and influenza data reporting requirements for rural emergency hospitals and long-term care facilities. The agency would also eliminate the requirement to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to long-term care facility residents.

Lastly, CMS proposes changes to its physical environment standards for all healthcare facility types by adopting the 2024 editions of the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code and Health Care Facilities Code. CMS also proposes to adopt the 2022 edition of the Emergency and Standby Power Systems Code, and to update its requirements to permit hospitals to use additional sources of emergency power. CMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule through Jan. 11, 2027. AHA members will receive a Regulatory Advisory with additional information.