CMS Issues Advanced Copy of Manual Used as Guidance for Surveyors of Long Term Care Facilities

On July 3, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a Survey and Certification letter containing and advanced copy of the State Operations Manual, Appendix PP, reflecting revised Interpretive Guidelines and, where appropriate, Investigative Protocols related to F-Tags used in surveying long term care facilities.  The revisions relate to Survey and Certification policy memos issued from October 2003 through May 2014.

Among the 20 F-Tags with updated guidelines is F-371(Sanitary Conditions) dating to a May 2014 memo regarding preparation of eggs. Click here to access the advance copy of the updated manual. It is effective immediately, but the final version — to be published online — might differ slightly, according to CMS.

To learn more about these requirements or if you have questions, please contact Lori McLaughlin at lmclaughlin@kdlegal.com.