Revised Critical Access Hospital (CAH) State Operations Manual (SOM), Appendix W

CMS State Operations Manual Revisions

On April 7, 2015, CMS revised the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) State Operations Manual (SOM), Appendix W. This is the guidance state survey agencies and accrediting entities use when surveying CAHs for compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. CMS also issued a transmittal detailing the changes. This revision reflects regulatory changes finalized in 2014 and clarifies how survey agencies should assess CAHs' compliance in these areas. The updates were originally issued on January 16, 2015 via Survey & Certification Letter 15-19.

CMS also revised these sections of the SOM effective March 27, 2015:

• Appendix A - Hospitals 
• Appendix T - Hospital Swing Beds 
• Appendix L - Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) 
• Appendix G - Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) 

Interested stakeholders can review the entire State Operations Manual online (appendices are available through links in the Table of Contents document) as well as the transmittal detailing the changes. These revisions update the SOM to reflect regulations finalized last year and were originally issued on January 30, 2015 via Survey & Certification Letter 15-22.