The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released proposed revisions to the Medicare Conditions of Participation for hospitals including Critical Access Hospitals (CAH). Some of the proposed revisions include privileging for non-physician staff, incorporating a nursing care plan into an interdisciplinary care plan, and changes to nursing services to allow for the preparation and administration of drugs. Under these revisions, the “direct services” requirement for CAHs would be removed and gives CAHs flexibility in determining whether to provide these services directly, under contract, or through another arrangement. Read the proposed rules here. Please send any comments or questions to Sara Schmitt.
