06/16/2022

Surveys reduced for vaccine mandate

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on June 14 in the QSO-22-17-ALL memo, that the vaccine mandate will no longer be surveyed during complaint surveys, unless there is an allegation of non-compliance with the mandate. CMS noted that survey oversight of the staff vaccination requirement for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers will continue to be performed during initial and recertification surveys only when non-compliance complaints have been made. Under prior guidance, all surveys included oversight of the staff vaccination requirement. CMS will revise the QSO 22-11 to also ensure deficiency determinations reflect good-faith efforts implemented by providers and suppliers.