CMS Proposed Rules – Patient Notification of Right to Access State Survey Organizations and QIOs

CMS has proposed adding new standards for CAHs and RHCs that would require them to provide patients with the mailing address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of the State survey agency if the patient wishes to report complaints. The second proposed standard would require facilities to inform all Medicare beneficiaries by written notice, at the time of service, of their right to file a written complaint with the State QIO. It would also require facilities to provide the beneficiary with the name, telephone number, electronic mail address, and mailing address of the QIO, and to document in the beneficiary's record that they have presented the written notice to the beneficiary or beneficiary's representative. CMS is accepting public comments on these proposed rules until April 4. You can access the proposed rules and instructions for submitting comments by clicking here. If you have any concerns or comments, please contact ss@coruralhealth.org or jd@coruralhealth.org.