Recent Changes to Medicare's Conditions of Participation for Hospitals and to Discharge Notice Requirements

On November 27, 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published two final rules applicable to hospitals participating in the Medicare program. The first final rule revises certain requirements in the hospital conditions of participation in the Medicare program (“CoPs”), including changes to the requirements for completion of history and physical examinations, authentication of verbal orders, securing medications and completion of postanesthesia evaluations. This final rule becomes effective January 26, 2007. The second final rule revises requirements for notifying hospital inpatients who are Medicare beneficiaries of their discharge appeal rights. This change becomes effective July 1, 2007.

Click on the PDF link above to view the full memorandum.