CMS PROPOSES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO SEASONAL INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed new requirements designed to expand access to seasonal influenza vaccination. The proposed rule would require many Medicare providers and suppliers to offer all patients an annual influenza vaccination during flu season, unless medically contraindicated. As always, any patient would retain the right to decline any vaccination. This proposed requirement would extend to Medicare-certified:

• Hospitals, including Short-term Acute Care, Psychiatric, Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, Children’s, and Cancer;
• CAHs 
• RHCs;
• FQHCs and;
• ESRD Facilities that offer dialysis services.

The proposed rule would update the conditions of participation and conditions for coverage for all of the provider types above. CMS will accept public comments on the proposed rule until July 5, 2011, and will respond to comments in a final rule to be published in the coming months. To submit comments, please visit http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTEzMzUxMDUmbWVzc2FnZWlkPVBSRC1CVUwtMTMzNTEwNSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTEyNzY2MTY2OTkmZW1haWxpZD1qZEBjb3J1cmFsaGVhbHRoLm9yZyZ1c2VyaWQ9amRAY29ydXJhbGhlYWx0aC5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&http://www.,regulations.gov/ and search for rule “CMS-3213-P.” The proposed rule is available online, click here. A press release about the proposed rule is also available on the CMS website by clicking here.