CMS plans to grant data submission and validation waivers to the Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Outpatient Prospective Payment System hospitals in these states, which are normally required to submit hospital quality measure data and medical records to meet validation requirements. The waiver will apply to areas designated as “major disaster” counties by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
CMS is waiving these requirements for hospitals in these areas because hospital medical records or data systems may have been damaged by Hurricane Sandy. In addition, many hospitals have been physically damaged and some have had to evacuate or close, or accept an influx of patients from neighboring evacuated or closed hospitals.
Hospitals outside the designated areas that need a waiver of IQR or OQR program requirements must follow a waiver submission process.
More Articles on CMS Waivers and Hurricane Sandy:
CMS Issues Blanket Waivers to N.J., N.Y. Areas Hit by Hurricane Sandy
Hospitals May Apply for Quality Reporting Waivers, Extensions Following Hurricane Sandy
Mayor Bloomberg Allots $300M to New York Hospitals Damaged by Hurricane Sandy
