CMS is waiving requirements & authorize NPs, to perform all mandatory SNF visits
Posted about 4 years ago by Michelle Wade
Additional Medicaid Waivers
On April 9, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new Medicare waivers pursuant to the COVID-19 public health emergency that have the intent of maximizing the frontline health care workforce. Learn more about the waivers.
This includes two new waivers specific to NPs (below) that address longstanding Medicare barriers. As with all COVID-19 Medicare waivers, it is important to remember that they are in effect for the duration of the public health emergency and they still defer to state law.
This includes two new waivers specific to NPs (below) that address longstanding Medicare barriers. As with all COVID-19 Medicare waivers, it is important to remember that they are in effect for the duration of the public health emergency and they still defer to state law.
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) — Currently, federal SNF regulations require that physicians perform the initial patient visit and that they alternate performance of the other mandatory monthly and bi-monthly visits. CMS is waiving these requirements to authorize NPs, clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and physician assistants (PAs) to perform all mandatory SNF visits at the discretion of the facility, if they are not an employee of the facility and if they are performing the visits in accordance with state law.
- Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — CMS is waiving the requirement that physicians provide supervision of NPs in RHCs and FQHCs, to the extent permitted under state law.