CMS final rule eases regulatory burden for SNFs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Thursday announced a final rule to reduce obsolete or burdensome regulations on U.S. healthcare providers, including long-term care providers. The Medicare Regulatory Reform Rule is projected to produce savings of $200 million in the first year.

The final rule, part of an Obama Administration initiative to eliminate duplicative, overlapping and outdated regulatory requirements for healthcare providers will cut outdated Medicaid qualification standards for physical and occupational therapists; eliminate the requirement for time-limited agreements for  Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals who are Intellectually Disabled (ICR/IID); and retire older versions of e-prescribing transactions for Medicare Part D and adopt newer versions to be in compliance with the current e-prescribing standard, among other measures.

“These changes cut burdensome red tape for hospitals and providers and give them the flexibility they need to improve patient care while lowering costs,” said CMS Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, in a statement. “These final rules incorporate input from hospitals, other healthcare providers, accreditation organizations, patient advocates, professional organizations, members of Congress and a host of others who are working to improve patient care.”