59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994, unless otherwise noted.
Sections 1819(h) and 1919(h) of the Act specify remedies that may be used by the Secretary or the State respectively when a SNF or a NF is not in substantial compliance with the requirements for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. These sections also provide for ensuring prompt compliance and specify that these remedies are in addition to any other available under State or Federal law, and, except, for civil money penalties imposed on NFs-only by the State, are imposed prior to the conduct of a hearing.
[76 FR 15126, Mar. 18, 2011]
As used in this subpart—
New admission means a resident who is admitted to the facility on or after the effective date of a denial of payment remedy and, if previously admitted, has been discharged before that effective date. Residents admitted before the effective date of the denial of payment, and taking temporary leave, are not considered new admissions, nor subject to the denial of payment.
Plan of correction means a plan developed by the facility and approved by CMS or the survey agency that describes the actions the facility will take to correct deficiencies and specifies the date by which those deficiencies will be corrected.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50118, Sept. 28, 1995]
(a) Purpose of remedies. The purpose of remedies is to ensure prompt compliance with program requirements.
(b) Basis for imposition and duration of remedies. When CMS or the State chooses to apply one or more remedies specified in § 488.406, the remedies are applied on the basis of noncompliance found during surveys conducted by CMS or by the survey agency.
(c) Number of remedies. CMS or the State may apply one or more remedies for each deficiency constituting noncompliance or for all deficiencies constituting noncompliance.
(d) Plan of correction requirement.
(1) Except as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, regardless of which remedy is applied, each facility that has deficiencies with respect to program requirements must submit a plan of correction for approval by CMS or the survey agency.
(2) Isolated deficiencies. A facility is not required to submit a plan of correction when it has deficiencies that are isolated and have a potential for minimal harm, but no actual harm has occurred.
(e) Disagreement regarding remedies. If the State and CMS disagree on the decision to impose a remedy, the disagreement is resolved in accordance with § 488.452.
(f) Notification requirements —
(1) Except when the State is taking action against a non-State operated NF, CMS or the State (as authorized by CMS) gives the provider notice of the remedy, including the—
(i) Nature of the noncompliance;
(ii) Which remedy is imposed;
(iii) Effective date of the remedy; and
(iv) Right to appeal the determination leading to the remedy.
(2) When a State is taking action against a non-State operated NF, the State's notice must include the same information required by CMS in paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
(3) Immediate jeopardy—2 day notice. Except for civil money penalties and State monitoring imposed when there is immediate jeopardy, for all remedies specified in § 488.406 imposed when there is immediate jeopardy, the notice must be given at least 2 calendar days before the effective date of the enforcement action.
(4) No immediate jeopardy—15 day notice. Except for civil money penalties and State monitoring, notice must be given at least 15 calendar days before the effective date of the enforcement action in situations in which there is no immediate jeopardy.
(5) Date of enforcement action. The 2-and 15-day notice periods begin when the facility receives the notice.
(6) Civil money penalties. For civil money penalties, the notices must be given in accordance with the provisions of §§ 488.434 and 488.440.
(7) State monitoring. For State monitoring, no prior notice is required.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50118, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 13360, Mar. 18, 1999]
(a) Initial assessment. In order to select the appropriate remedy, if any, to apply to a facility with deficiencies, CMS and the State determine the seriousness of the deficiencies.
(b) Determining seriousness of deficiencies. To determine the seriousness of the deficiency, CMS considers and the State must consider at least the following factors:
(1) Whether a facility's deficiencies constitute—
(i) No actual harm with a potential for minimal harm;
(ii) No actual harm with a potential for more than minimal harm, but not immediate jeopardy;
(iii) Actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy; or
(iv) Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
(2) Whether the deficiencies—
(i) Are isolated;
(ii) Constitute a pattern; or
(iii) Are widespread.
(c) Other factors which may be considered in choosing a remedy within a remedy category. Following the initial assessment, CMS and the State may consider other factors, which may include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) The relationship of the one deficiency to other deficiencies resulting in noncompliance.
(2) The facility's prior history of noncompliance in general and specifically with reference to the cited deficiencies.
(a) General. In addition to the remedy of termination of the provider agreement, the following remedies are available:
(1) Temporary management.
(2) Denial of payment including—
(i) Denial of payment for all individuals, imposed by CMS, to a—
(A) Skilled nursing facility, for Medicare;
(B) State, for Medicaid; or
(ii) Denial of payment for all new admissions.
(3) Civil money penalties.
(4) State monitoring.
(5) Transfer of residents.
(6) Closure of the facility and transfer of residents.
(7) Directed plan of correction.
(8) Directed in-service training.
(9) Alternative or additional State remedies approved by CMS.
(b) Remedies that must be established. At a minimum, and in addition to termination of the provider agreement, the State must establish the following remedies or approved alternatives to the following remedies:
(1) Temporary management.
(2) Denial of payment for new admissions.
(3) Civil money penalties.
(4) Transfer of residents.
(5) Closure of the facility and transfer of residents.
(6) State monitoring.
(c) State plan requirement. If a State wishes to use remedies for noncompliance that are either additional or alternative to those specified in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, it must—
(1) Specify those remedies in the State plan; and
(2) Demonstrate to CMS's satisfaction that those remedies are as effective as the remedies listed in paragraph (a) of this section, for deterring noncompliance and correcting deficiencies.
(d) State remedies in dually participating facilities. If the State's remedy is unique to the State plan and has been approved by CMS, then that remedy, as imposed by the State under its Medicaid authority, may be imposed by CMS against the Medicare provider agreement of a dually participating facility.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50118, Sept. 28, 1995]
(a) Categories of remedies. In this section, the remedies specified in § 488.406(a) are grouped into categories and applied to deficiencies according to how serious the noncompliance is.
(b) Application of remedies. After considering the factors specified in § 488.404, as applicable, if CMS and the State choose to impose remedies, as provided in paragraphs (c)(1), (d)(1) and (e)(1) of this section, for facility noncompliance, instead of, or in addition to, termination of the provider agreement, CMS does and the State must follow the criteria set forth in paragraphs (c)(2), (d)(2), and (e)(2) of this section, as applicable.
(c) Category 1.
(1) Category 1 remedies include the following:
(i) Directed plan of correction.
(ii) State monitoring.
(iii) Directed in-service training.
(2) CMS does or the State must apply one or more of the remedies in Category 1 when there—
(i) Are isolated deficiencies that constitute no actual harm with a potential for more than minimal harm but not immediate jeopardy; or
(ii) Is a pattern of deficiencies that constitutes no actual harm with a potential for more than minimal harm but not immediate jeopardy.
(3) Except when the facility is in substantial compliance, CMS or the State may apply one or more of the remedies in Category 1 to any deficiency.
(d) Category 2.
(1) Category 2 remedies include the following:
(i) Denial of payment for new admissions.
(ii) Denial of payment for all individuals imposed only by CMS.
(iii) Civil money penalties of $50-3,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per day.
(iv) Civil money penalty of $1,000-$10,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per instance of noncompliance.
(2) CMS applies one or more of the remedies in Category 2, or, except for denial of payment for all individuals, the State must apply one or more of the remedies in Category 2 when there are—
(i) Widespread deficiencies that constitute no actual harm with a potential for more than minimal harm but not immediate jeopardy; or
(ii) One or more deficiencies that constitute actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy.
(3) CMS or the State may apply one or more of the remedies in Category 2 to any deficiency except when—
(i) The facility is in substantial compliance; or
(ii) CMS or the State imposes a civil money penalty for a deficiency that constitutes immediate jeopardy, the penalty must be in the upper range of penalty amounts, as specified in § 488.438(a).
(e) Category 3.
(1) Category 3 remedies include the following:
(i) Temporary management.
(ii) Immediate termination.
(iii) Civil money penalties of $3,050-$10,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per day.
(iv) Civil money penalty of $1,000-$10,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per instance of noncompliance.
(2) When there are one or more deficiencies that constitute immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety—
(i) CMS does and the State must do one or both of the following:
(A) Impose temporary management; or
(B) Terminate the provider agreement;
(ii) CMS and the State may impose a civil money penalty of $3,050-$10,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per day or $1,000-$10,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per instance of noncompliance, in addition to imposing the remedies specified in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section.
(3) When there are widespread deficiencies that constitute actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy, CMS and the State may impose temporary management, in addition to Category 2 remedies.
(f) Plan of correction.
(1) Except as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, each facility that has a deficiency with regard to a requirement for long term care facilities must submit a plan of correction for approval by CMS or the State, regardless of—
(i) Which remedies are imposed; or
(ii) The seriousness of the deficiencies.
(2) When there are only isolated deficiencies that CMS or the State determines constitute no actual harm with a potential for minimal harm, the facility need not submit a plan of correction.
(g) Appeal of a certification of noncompliance.
(1) A facility may appeal a certification of noncompliance leading to an enforcement remedy.
(2) A facility may not appeal the choice of remedy, including the factors considered by CMS or the State in selecting the remedy, specified in § 488.404.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50118, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 13360, Mar. 18, 1999; 81 FR 61563, Sept. 6, 2016]
(a) If there is immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety, the State must (and CMS does) either terminate the provider agreement within 23 calendar days of the last date of the survey or appoint a temporary manager to remove the immediate jeopardy. The rules for appointment of a temporary manager in an immediate jeopardy situation are as follows:
(1) CMS does and the State must notify the facility that a temporary manager is being appointed.
(2) If the facility fails to relinquish control to the temporary manager, CMS does and the State must terminate the provider agreement within 23 calendar days of the last day of the survey, if the immediate jeopardy is not removed. In these cases, State monitoring may be imposed pending termination.
(3) If the facility relinquishes control to the temporary manager, the State must (and CMS does) notify the facility that, unless it removes the immediate jeopardy, its provider agreement will be terminated within 23 calendar days of the last day of the survey.
(4) CMS does and the State must terminate the provider agreement within 23 calendar days of the last day of survey if the immediate jeopardy has not been removed.
(b) CMS or the State may also impose other remedies, as appropriate.
(c)
(1) In a NF or dually participating facility, if either CMS or the State finds that a facility's noncompliance poses immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety, CMS or the State must notify the other of such a finding.
(2) CMS will or the State must do one or both of the following:
(i) Take immediate action to remove the jeopardy and correct the noncompliance through temporary management.
(ii) Terminate the facility's participation under the State plan. If this is done, CMS will also terminate the facility's participation in Medicare if it is a dually participating facility.
(d) The State must provide for the safe and orderly transfer of residents when the facility is terminated.
(e) If the immediate jeopardy is also substandard quality of care, the State survey agency must notify attending physicians and the State board responsible for licensing the facility administrator of the finding of substandard quality of care, as specified in § 488.325(h).
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50118, Sept. 28, 1995]
(a) If a facility's deficiencies do not pose immediate jeopardy to residents' health or safety, and the facility is not in substantial compliance, CMS or the State may terminate the facility's provider agreement or may allow the facility to continue to participate for no longer than 6 months from the last day of the survey if—
(1) The State survey agency finds that it is more appropriate to impose alternative remedies than to terminate the facility's provider agreement;
(2) The State has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action approved by CMS; and
(3) The facility in the case of a Medicare SNF or the State in the case of a Medicaid NF agrees to repay to the Federal government payments received after the last day of the survey that first identified the deficiencies if corrective action is not taken in accordance with the approved plan of correction.
(b) If a facility does not meet the criteria for continuation of payment under paragraph (a) of this section, CMS will and the State must terminate the facility's provider agreement.
(c) CMS does and the State must deny payment for new admissions when a facility is not in substantial compliance 3 months after the last day of the survey.
(d) CMS terminates the provider agreement for SNFs and NFs, and stops FFP to a State for a NF for which participation was continued under paragraph (a) of this section, if the facility is not in substantial compliance within 6 months of the last day of the survey.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50118, Sept. 28, 1995]
(a) General. If a facility has been found to have provided substandard quality of care on the last three consecutive standard surveys, as defined in § 488.305, regardless of other remedies provided—
(1) CMS imposes denial of payment for all new admissions, as specified in § 488.417, or denial of all payments, as specified in § 488.418;
(2) The State must impose denial of payment for all new admissions, as specified in § 488.417; and
(3) CMS does and the State survey agency must impose State monitoring, as specified in § 488.422, until the facility has demonstrated to the satisfaction of CMS or the State, that it is in substantial compliance with all requirements and will remain in substantial compliance with all requirements.
(b) Repeated noncompliance. For purposes of this section, repeated noncompliance is based on the repeated finding of substandard quality of care and not on the basis that the substance of the deficiency or the exact tag number for the deficiency was repeated.
(c) Standard surveys to which this provision applies. Standard surveys completed by the State survey agency on or after October 1, 1990, are used to determine whether the threshold of three consecutive standard surveys is met.
(d) Program participation.
(1) The determination that a certified facility has repeated instances of substandard quality of care is made without regard to any variances in the facility's program participation (that is, any standard survey completed for Medicare, Medicaid or both programs will be considered).
(2) Termination would allow the count of repeated substandard quality of care surveys to start over.
(3) Change of ownership.
(i) A facility may not avoid a remedy on the basis that it underwent a change of ownership.
(ii) In a facility that has undergone a change of ownership, CMS does not and the State may not restart the count of repeated substandard quality of care surveys unless the new owner can demonstrate to the satisfaction of CMS or the State that the poor past performance no longer is a factor due to the change in ownership.
(e) Facility alleges corrections or achieves compliance after repeated substandard quality of care is identified.
(1) If a penalty is imposed for repeated substandard quality of care, it will continue until the facility has demonstrated to the satisfaction of CMS or the State that it is in substantial compliance with the requirements and that it will remain in substantial compliance with the requirements for a period of time specified by CMS or the State.
(2) A facility will not avoid the imposition of remedies or the obligation to demonstrate that it will remain in compliance when it—
(i) Alleges correction of the deficiencies cited in the most recent standard survey; or
(ii) Achieves compliance before the effective date of the remedies.
(a) Definition. Temporary management means the temporary appointment by CMS or the State of a substitute facility manager or administrator with authority to hire, terminate or reassign staff, obligate facility funds, alter facility procedures, and manage the facility to correct deficiencies identified in the facility's operation.
(b) Qualifications. The temporary manager must—
(1) Be qualified to oversee correction of deficiencies on the basis of experience and education, as determined by the State;
(2) Not have been found guilty of misconduct by any licensing board or professional society in any State;
(3) Have, or a member of his or her immediate family have, no financial ownership interest in the facility; and
(4) Not currently serve or, within the past 2 years, have served as a member of the staff of the facility.
(c) Payment of salary. The temporary manager's salary—
(1) Is paid directly by the facility while the temporary manager is assigned to that facility; and
(2) Must be at least equivalent to the sum of the following—
(i) The prevailing salary paid by providers for positions of this type in what the State considers to be the facility's geographic area;
(ii) Additional costs that would have reasonably been incurred by the provider if such person had been in an employment relationship; and
(iii) Any other costs incurred by such a person in furnishing services under such an arrangement or as otherwise set by the State.
(3) May exceed the amount specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section if the State is otherwise unable to attract a qualified temporary manager.
(d) Failure to relinquish authority to temporary management —
(1) Termination of provider agreement. If a facility fails to relinquish authority to the temporary manager as described in this section, CMS will or the State must terminate the provider agreement in accordance with § 488.456.
(2) Failure to pay salary of temporary manager. A facility's failure to pay the salary of the temporary manager is considered a failure to relinquish authority to temporary management.
(e) Duration of temporary management. Temporary management ends when the facility meets any of the conditions specified in § 488.454(c).
(a) Optional denial of payment. Except as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, CMS or the State may deny payment for all new admissions when a facility is not in substantial compliance with the requirements, as defined in § 488.401, as follows:
(1) Medicare facilities. In the case of Medicare facilities, CMS may deny payment to the facility.
(2) Medicaid facilities. In the case of Medicaid facilities—
(i) The State may deny payment to the facility; and
(ii) CMS may deny payment to the State for all new Medicaid admissions to the facility.
(b) Required denial of payment. CMS does or the State must deny payment for all new admissions when—
(1) The facility is not in substantial compliance, as defined in § 488.401, 3 months after the last day of the survey identifying the noncompliance; or
(2) The State survey agency has cited a facility with substandard quality of care on the last three consecutive standard surveys.
(c) Resumption of payments: Repeated instances of substandard quality of care. When a facility has repeated instances of substandard quality of care, payments to the facility or, under Medicaid, CMS payments to the State on behalf of the facility, resume on the date that—
(1) The facility achieves substantial compliance as indicated by a revisit or written credible evidence acceptable to CMS (for all facilities except non-State operated NFs against which CMS is imposing no remedies) or the State (for non-State operated NFs against which CMS is imposing no remedies); and
(2) CMS (for all facilities except non-State operated NFs against which CMS is imposing no remedies) or the State (for non-State operated NFs against which CMS is imposing no remedies) believes that the facility is capable of remaining in substantial compliance.
(d) Resumption of payments: No repeated instances of substandard quality of care. When a facility does not have repeated instances of substandard quality of care, payments to the facility or, under Medicaid, CMS payments to the State on behalf of the facility, resume prospectively on the date that the facility achieves substantial compliance, as indicated by a revisit or written credible evidence acceptable to CMS (under Medicare) or the State (under Medicaid).
(e) Restriction. No payments to a facility or, under Medicaid, CMS payments to the State on behalf of the facility, are made for the period between the date that the—
(1) Denial of payment remedy is imposed; and
(2) Facility achieves substantial compliance, as determined by CMS or the State.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995]
(a) CMS option to deny all payment. If a facility has not met a requirement, in addition to the authority to deny payment for all new admissions as specified in § 488.417, CMS may deny any further payment for all Medicare residents in the facility and to the State for all Medicaid residents in the facility.
(b) Prospective resumption of payment. Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, if the facility achieves substantial compliance, CMS resumes payment prospectively from the date that it verifies as the date that the facility achieved substantial compliance.
(c) Restriction on payment after denial of payment is imposed. If payment to the facility or to the State resumes after denial of payment for all residents, no payment is made for the period between the date that—
(1) Denial of payment was imposed; and
(2) CMS verifies as the date that the facility achieved substantial compliance.
(d) Retroactive resumption of payment. Except when a facility has repeated instances of substandard quality of care, as specified in paragraph (e) of this section, when CMS or the State finds that the facility was in substantial compliance before the date of the revisit, or before CMS or the survey agency received credible evidence of such compliance, payment is resumed on the date that substantial compliance was achieved, as determined by CMS.
(e) Resumption of payment—repeated instances of substandard care. When CMS denies payment for all Medicare residents for repeated instances of substandard quality of care, payment is resumed when—
(1) The facility achieved substantial compliance, as indicated by a revisit or written credible evidence acceptable to CMS; and
(2) CMS believes that the facility will remain in substantial compliance.
(a) A State monitor—
(1) Oversees the correction of deficiencies specified by CMS or the State survey agency at the facility site and protects the facility's residents from harm;
(2) Is an employee or a contractor of the survey agency;
(3) Is identified by the State as an appropriate professional to monitor cited deficiencies;
(4) Is not an employee of the facility;
(5) Does not function as a consultant to the facility; and
(6) Does not have an immediate family member who is a resident of the facility to be monitored.
(b) A State monitor must be used when a survey agency has cited a facility with substandard quality of care deficiencies on the last 3 consecutive standard surveys.
(c) State monitoring is discontinued when—
(1) The facility has demonstrated that it is in substantial compliance with the requirements, and, if imposed for repeated instances of substandard quality of care, will remain in compliance for a period of time specified by CMS or the State; or
(2) Termination procedures are completed.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995]
CMS, the State survey agency, or the temporary manager (with CMS or State approval) may develop a plan of correction and CMS, the State, or the temporary manager require a facility to take action within specified timeframes.
(a) Required training. CMS or the State agency may require the staff of a facility to attend an inservice training program if—
(1) The facility has a pattern of deficiencies that indicate noncompliance; and
(2) Education is likely to correct the deficiencies.
(b) Action following training. After the staff has received inservice training, if the facility has not achieved substantial compliance, CMS or the State may impose one or more other remedies specified in § 488.406.
(c) Payment. The facility pays for directed inservice training.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995]
(a) Transfer of residents, or closure of the facility and transfer of residents in an emergency. In an emergency, the State has the authority to—
(1) Transfer Medicaid and Medicare residents to another facility; or
(2) Close the facility and transfer the Medicaid and Medicare residents to another facility.
(b) Required transfer when a facility's provider agreement is terminated. When the State or CMS terminates a facility's provider agreement, the State will arrange for the safe and orderly transfer of all Medicare and Medicaid residents to another facility, in accordance with § 483.70(l) of this chapter.
(c) Required notifications when a facility's provider agreement is terminated. When the State or CMS terminates a facility's provider agreement, CMS determines the appropriate date for notification, in accordance with § 483.70(l) of this chapter.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended at 76 FR 9511, Feb. 18, 2011; 81 FR 68872, Oct. 4, 2016]
(a) CMS or the State may impose a civil money penalty for either the number of days a facility is not in substantial compliance with one or more participation requirements or for each instance that a facility is not in substantial compliance, regardless of whether or not the deficiencies constitute immediate jeopardy.
(b) CMS or the State may impose a civil money penalty for the number of days of past noncompliance since the last standard survey, including the number of days of immediate jeopardy.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994, as amended at 64 FR 13360, Mar. 18, 1999]
(a) Opportunity for independent review. CMS retains ultimate authority for the survey findings and imposition of civil money penalties, but provides an opportunity for independent informal dispute resolution within 30 days of notice of imposition of a civil money penalty that will be placed in escrow in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section. An independent informal dispute resolution will—
(1) Be completed within 60 days of facility's request if an independent informal dispute resolution is timely requested by the facility.
(2) Generate a written record prior to the collection of the penalty.
(3) Include notification to an involved resident or resident representative, as well as the State's long term care ombudsman, to provide opportunity for written comment.
(4) Be approved by CMS and conducted by the State under section 1864 of the Act, or by an entity approved by the State and CMS, or by CMS or its agent in the case of surveys conducted only by federal surveyors where the State independent dispute resolution process is not used, and which has no conflict of interest, such as:
(i) A component of an umbrella State agency provided that the component is organizationally separate from the State survey agency.
(ii) An independent entity with a specific understanding of Medicare and Medicaid program requirements selected by the State and approved by CMS.
(5) Not include the survey findings that have already been the subject of an informal dispute resolution under § 488.331 for the particular deficiency citations at issue in the independent process under § 488.431, unless the informal dispute resolution under § 488.331 was completed prior to the imposition of the civil money penalty.
(b) Collection and placement in escrow account.
(1) For both per day and per instance civil money penalties, CMS may collect and place the imposed civil money penalties in an escrow account on whichever of the following occurs first:
(i) The date on which the independent informal dispute resolution process is completed under paragraph (a) of this section.
(ii) The date that is 90 days after the date of the notice of imposition of the penalty.
(2) For collection and placement in escrow accounts of per day civil money penalties, CMS may collect the portion of the per day civil money penalty that has accrued up to the time of collection as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. CMS may make additional collections periodically until the full amount is collected, except that the full balance must be collected once the facility achieves substantial compliance or is terminated from the program and CMS determines the final amount of the civil money penalty imposed.
(3) CMS may provide for an escrow payment schedule that differs from the collection times of paragraph (1) of this subsection in any case in which CMS determines that more time is necessary for deposit of the total civil money penalty into an escrow account, not to exceed 12 months, if CMS finds that immediate payment would create substantial and undue financial hardship on the facility.
(4) If the full civil money penalty is not placed in an escrow account within 30 calendar days from the date the provider receives notice of collection, or within 30 calendar days of any due date established pursuant to a hardship finding under paragraph (b)(3), CMS may deduct the amount of the civil money penalty from any sum then or later owed by CMS or the State to the facility in accordance with § 488.442(c).
(5) For any civil money penalties that are not collected and placed into an escrow account under this section, CMS will collect such civil money penalties in the same manner as the State in accordance with § 488.432.
(c) Maintenance of escrowed funds. CMS will maintain collected civil money penalties in an escrow account pending the resolution of any administrative appeal of the deficiency findings that comprise the basis for the civil monetary penalty imposition. CMS will retain the escrowed funds on an on-going basis and, upon a final administrative decision, will either return applicable funds in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) of this section or, in the case of an unsuccessful administrative appeal, will periodically disburse the funds to States or other entities in accordance with § 488.433.
(d) When a facility requests a hearing.
(1) A facility must request a hearing on the determination of the noncompliance that is the basis for imposition of the civil money penalty as specified in § 498.40 of this chapter.
(2) If the administrative law judge reverses deficiency findings that comprise the basis of a civil money penalty in whole or in part, the escrowed amounts continue to be held pending expiration of the time for CMS to appeal the decision or, where CMS does appeal, a Departmental Appeals Board decision affirming the reversal of the pertinent deficiency findings. Any collected civil money penalty amount owed to the facility based on a final administrative decision will be returned to the facility with applicable interest as specified in section 1878(f)(2) of the Act.
[76 FR 15126, Mar. 18, 2011]
(a) When a facility requests a hearing.
(1) When the State imposes a civil money penalty against a non-State operated NF that is not subject to imposition of remedies by CMS, the facility must request a hearing on the determination of noncompliance that is the basis for imposition of the civil money penalty within the time specified in § 431.153 of this chapter.
(2)
(i) If a facility requests a hearing within the time frame specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, for a civil money penalty imposed per day, the State initiates collection of the penalty when there is a final administrative decision that upholds the State's determination of noncompliance after the facility achieves substantial compliance or is terminated.
(ii) If a facility requests a hearing for a civil money penalty imposed per instance of noncompliance within the time specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the State initiates collection of the penalty when there is a final administrative decision that upholds the State's determination of noncompliance.
(b) When a facility does not request a hearing for a civil money penalty imposed per day.
(1) If a facility does not request a hearing in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the State initiates collection of the penalty when the facility—
(i) Achieves substantial compliance; or
(ii) Is terminated.
(2) When a facility does not request a hearing for a civil money penalty imposed per instance of noncompliance. If a facility does not request a hearing in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the State initiates collection of the penalty when the time frame for requesting a hearing expires.
(c) When a facility waives a hearing.
(1) If a facility waives, in writing, its right to a hearing as specified in § 488.436, for a civil money penalty imposed per day, the State initiates collection of the penalty when the facility—
(i) Achieves substantial compliance; or
(ii) Is terminated.
(2) If a facility waives, in writing, its right to a hearing as specified in § 488.436, the State initiates collection of civil money penalty imposed per instance of noncompliance upon receipt of the facility's notification.
(d) Accrual and computation of penalties for a facility that—
(1) Requests a hearing or does not request a hearing are specified in § 488.440;
(2) Waives its right to a hearing in writing, are specified in §§ 488.436(b) and 488.440.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 13360, Mar. 18, 1999; 76 FR 15127, Mar. 18, 2011]
(a) Ten percent of the collected civil money penalty funds that are required to be held in escrow pursuant to § 488.431 and that remain after a final administrative decision will be deposited with the Department of the Treasury in accordance with § 488.442(f). The remaining ninety percent of the collected civil money penalty funds that are required to be held in escrow pursuant to § 488.431 and that remain after a final administrative decision must be used entirely for activities that protect or improve the quality of care or quality of life for residents consistent with paragraph (b) of this section and may not be used for survey and certification operations or State expenses, except that reasonable expenses necessary to administer, monitor, or evaluate the effectiveness of projects utilizing civil money penalty funds may be permitted.
(b) All activities and plans for utilizing civil money penalty funds, including any expense used to administer grants utilizing civil money penalty funds, must be approved in advance by CMS and may include, but are not limited to:
(1) Support and protection of residents of a facility that closes (voluntarily or involuntarily).
(2) Time-limited expenses incurred in the process of relocating residents to home and community-based settings or another facility when a facility is closed (voluntarily or involuntarily) or downsized pursuant to an agreement with the State Medicaid agency.
(3) Projects that support resident and family councils and other consumer involvement in assuring quality care in facilities.
(4) Facility improvement initiatives, such as joint training of facility staff and surveyors or technical assistance for facilities implementing quality assurance and performance improvement programs.
(5) Development and maintenance of temporary management or receivership capability such as but not limited to, recruitment, training, retention or other system infrastructure expenses. However, as specified in § 488.415(c), a temporary manager's salary must be paid by the facility. In rare situations, if the facility is closing, CMS plans to stop or suspend continued payments to the facility under § 489.55 of this chapter during the temporary manager's duty period, and CMS determines that extraordinary action is necessary to protect the residents until relocation efforts are successful, civil money penalty funds may be used to pay the manager's salary.
(c) At a minimum, proposed activities submitted to CMS for prior approval must include a description of the intended outcomes, deliverables, and sustainability; and a description of the methods by which the activity results will be assessed, including specific measures.
(d) Civil money penalty funds may not be used for activities that have been disapproved by CMS.
(e) The State must maintain an acceptable plan, approved by CMS, for the effective use of civil money funds, including a description of methods by which the State will:
(1) Solicit, accept, monitor, and track projects utilizing civil money penalty funds including any funds used for state administration.
(2) Make information about the use of civil money penalty funds publicly available, including about the dollar amount awarded for approved projects, the grantee or contract recipients, the results of projects, and other key information.
(3) Ensure that:
(i) A core amount of civil money penalty funds will be held in reserve for emergencies, such as relocation of residents pursuant to an involuntary termination from Medicare and Medicaid.
(ii) A reasonable amount of funds, beyond those held in reserve under paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section, will be awarded or contracted each year for the purposes specified in this section.
(f) If CMS finds that a State has not spent civil money penalty funds in accordance with this section, or fails to make use of funds to benefit the quality of care or life of residents, or fails to maintain an acceptable plan for the use of funds that is approved by CMS, then CMS may withhold future disbursements of civil money penalty funds to the State until the State has submitted an acceptable plan to comply with this section.
[79 FR 45658, Aug. 5, 2014]
(a) CMS notice of penalty.
(1) CMS sends a written notice of the penalty to the facility for all facilities except non-State operated NFs when the State is imposing the penalty.
(2) Content of notice. The notice that CMS sends includes—
(i) The nature of the noncompliance;
(ii) The statutory basis for the penalty;
(iii) The amount of penalty per day of noncompliance or the amount of the penalty per instance of noncompliance;
(iv) Any factors specified in § 488.438(f) that were considered when determining the amount of the penalty;
(v) The date of the instance of noncompliance or the date on which the penalty begins to accrue;
(vi) When the penalty stops accruing, if applicable;
(vii) When the penalty is collected; and
(viii) Instructions for responding to the notice, including a statement of the facility's right to a hearing, and the implication of waiving a hearing, as provided in § 488.436.
(b) State notice of penalty.
(1) The State must notify the facility in accordance with State procedures for all non-State operated NFs when the State takes the action.
(2) The State's notice must—
(i) Be in writing; and
(ii) Include, at a minimum, the information specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 13360, Mar. 18, 1999]
(a) Waiver of a hearing. The facility may waive the right to a hearing, in writing, within 60 days from the date of the notice imposing the civil money penalty.
(b) Reduction of penalty amount.
(1) If the facility waives its right to a hearing in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (a) of this section, CMS or the State reduces the civil money penalty by 35 percent, as long as the civil money penalty has not also been reduced by 50 percent under § 488.438.
(2) If the facility does not waive its right to a hearing in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (a) of this section, the civil money penalty is not reduced by 35 percent.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 62 FR 44221, Aug. 20, 1997; 76 FR 15127, Mar. 18, 2011]
(a) Amount of penalty.
(1) The penalties are within the following ranges, set at $50 increments:
(i) Upper range. Penalties in the range of $3,050-$10,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per day are imposed for deficiencies constituting immediate jeopardy, and as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
(ii) Upper range. Penalties in the range of $50-$3,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per day are imposed for deficiencies that do not constitute immediate jeopardy, but either caused actual harm, or caused no actual harm, but have the potential for more than minimal harm.
(2) Per instance penalty. When penalties are imposed for an instance of noncompliance, the penalties will be in the range of $1,000-$10,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 per instance.
(b) Basis for penalty amount. The amount of penalty is based on CMS's or the State's assessment of factors listed in paragraph (f) of this section.
(c) Decreased penalty amounts.
(1) Except as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, if immediate jeopardy is removed, but the noncompliance continues, CMS or the State will shift the penalty amount imposed per day to the lower range.
(2) When CMS determines that a SNF, dually-participating SNF/NF, or NF-only facility subject to a civil money penalty imposed by CMS self-reports and promptly corrects the noncompliance for which the civil money penalty was imposed, CMS will reduce the amount of the penalty by 50 percent, provided that all of the following apply —
(i) The facility self-reported the noncompliance to CMS or the State before it was identified by CMS or the State and before it was reported to CMS or the State by means of a complaint lodged by a person other than an official representative of the nursing home;
(ii) Correction of the self-reported noncompliance occurred on whichever of the following occurs first:
(A) 15 calendar days from the date of the circumstance or incident that later resulted in a finding of noncompliance; or
(B) 10 calendar days from the date the civil money penalty was imposed;
(iii) The facility waives its right to a hearing under § 488.436;
(iv) The noncompliance that was self-reported and corrected did not constitute a pattern of harm, widespread harm, immediate jeopardy, or result in the death of a resident;
(v) The civil money penalty was not imposed for a repeated deficiency, as defined in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, that was the basis of a civil money penalty that previously received a reduction under this section; and
(vi) The facility has met mandatory reporting requirements for the incident or circumstance upon which the civil money penalty is based, as required by Federal and State law.
(3) Under no circumstances will a facility receive both the 50 percent civil money penalty reduction for self-reporting and correcting under this section and the 35 percent civil money penalty reduction for waiving its right to a hearing under § 488.436.
(d) Increased penalty amounts.
(1) Before a hearing requested in accordance with § 488.431(d) or § 488.432(a), CMS or the State may propose to increase the per day penalty amount for facility noncompliance which, after imposition of a lower level penalty amount, becomes sufficiently serious to pose immediate jeopardy.
(2) CMS does and the State must increase the per day penalty amount for any repeated deficiencies for which a lower level penalty amount was previously imposed, regardless of whether the increased penalty amount would exceed the range otherwise reserved for nonimmediate jeopardy deficiencies.
(3) Repeated deficiencies are deficiencies in the same regulatory grouping of requirements found at the last survey, subsequently corrected, and found again at the next survey.
(e) Review of the penalty. When an administrative law judge or State hearing officer (or higher administrative review authority) finds that the basis for imposing a civil money penalty exists, as specified in § 488.430, the administrative law judge or State hearing officer (or higher administrative review authority) may not—
(1) Set a penalty of zero or reduce a penalty to zero;
(2) Review the exercise of discretion by CMS or the State to impose a civil money penalty; and
(3) Consider any factors in reviewing the amount of the penalty other than those specified in paragraph (f) of this section.
(f) Factors affecting the amount of penalty. In determining the amount of penalty, CMS does or the State must take into account the following factors:
(1) The facility's history of noncompliance, including repeated deficiencies.
(2) The facility's financial condition.
(3) The factors specified in § 488.404.
(4) The facility's degree of culpability. Culpability for purposes of this paragraph includes, but is not limited to, neglect, indifference, or disregard for resident care, comfort or safety. The absence of culpability is not a mitigating circumstance in reducing the amount of the penalty.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994, as amended at 64 FR 13360, Mar. 18, 1999; 68 FR 46072, Aug. 4, 2003; 76 FR 15127, Mar. 18, 2011; 81 FR 61563, Sept. 6, 2016]
(a)
(1) The per day civil money penalty may start accruing as early as the date that the facility was first out of compliance, as determined by CMS or the State.
(2) A civil money penalty for each instance of noncompliance is imposed in a specific amount for that particular deficiency .
(b) The per day civil money penalty is computed and collectible, as specified in §§ 488.431, 488.432, and 488.442 for the number of days of noncompliance until the date the facility achieves substantial compliance, or, if applicable, the date of termination when —
(1) The determination of noncompliance is upheld after a final administrative decision for NFs-only subject to civil money penalties imposed by the state or for civil money penalties imposed by CMS that are not collected and placed into an escrow account;
(2) The facility waives its right to a hearing in accordance with § 488.436; or
(3) The time for requesting a hearing has expired and CMS or the State has not received a hearing request from the facility.
(c)
(1) For NFs-only subject to civil money penalties imposed by the State and for civil money penalties imposed by CMS that may not be placed in an escrow account, the entire penalty, whether imposed on a per day or per instance basis, is due and collectible as specified in the notice sent to the provider under paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section.
(2) For SNFs, dually-participating SNF/NFs, or NFs subject to civil money penalties imposed by CMS, collection is made in accordance with § 488.431.
(d)
(1) When a civil money penalty is imposed on a per day basis and the facility achieves substantial compliance, CMS does or the State must send a separate notice to the facility containing the following information:
(i) The amount of penalty per day.
(ii) The number of days involved.
(iii) The total amount due.
(iv) The due date of the penalty.
(v) The rate of interest assessed on the unpaid balance beginning on the due date, as provided in § 488.442.
(2) When a civil money penalty is imposed for an instance of noncompliance, CMS does or the State must send a separate notice to the facility containing the following information:
(i) The amount of the penalty.
(ii) The total amount due.
(iii) The due date of the penalty.
(iv) The rate of interest assessed on the unpaid balance beginning on the due date, as provided in § 488.442.
(e) In the case of a facility for which the provider agreement has been terminated and on which a civil money penalty was imposed on a per day basis, CMS does or the State must send this penalty information after the—
(1) Final administrative decision is made;
(2) Facility has waived its right to a hearing in accordance with § 488.436; or
(3) Time for requesting a hearing has expired and CMS or the state has not received a hearing request from the facility.
(f) Accrual of penalties when there is no immediate jeopardy.
(1) In the case of noncompliance that does not pose immediate jeopardy, the daily accrual of per day civil money penalties is imposed for the days of noncompliance prior to the notice specified in § 488.434 and an additional period of no longer than 6 months following the last day of the survey.
(2) After the period specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, if the facility has not achieved substantial compliance, CMS terminates the provider agreement and the State may terminate the provider agreement.
(g)
(1) In a case when per day civil money penalties are imposed, when a facility has deficiencies that pose immediate jeopardy, CMS does or the State must terminate the provider agreement within 23 calendar days after the last day of the survey if the immediate jeopardy remains.
(2) The accrual of the civil money penalty imposed on a per day basis stops on the day the provider agreement is terminated.
(h)
(1) If an on-site revisit is necessary to confirm substantial compliance and the provider can supply documentation acceptable to CMS or the State agency that substantial compliance was achieved on a date preceding the revisit, penalties imposed on a per day basis only accrue until that date of correction for which there is written credible evidence.
(2) If an on-site revisit is not necessary to confirm substantial compliance, penalties imposed on a per day basis only accrue until the date of correction for which CMS or the State receives and accepts written credible evidence.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994, as amended at 64 FR 13361, Mar. 18, 1999; 76 FR 15128, Mar. 18, 2011]
(a) When payments are due for a civil money penalty.
(1) Payment for a civil money penalty is due in accordance with § 488.431 of this chapter for CMS-imposed penalties and 15 days after the State initiates collection pursuant to § 488.432 of this chapter for State-imposed penalties, except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section.
(2) After a request to waive a hearing or when a hearing was not requested. Except as provided for in § 488.431, a civil money penalty is due 15 days after receipt of a written request to waive a hearing in accordance with § 488.436 or 15 days after the time period for requesting a hearing has expired and a hearing request was not received when:
(i) The facility achieved substantial compliance before the hearing request was due; or
(ii) The effective date of termination occurs before the hearing request was due.
(3) After the effective date of termination. A civil money penalty payment is due 15 days after the effective date of termination, if that date is earlier than the date specified in paragraph (a)(1)of this section.
(b) [Reserved]
(c) Deduction of penalty from amount owed. The amount of the penalty, when determined, may be deducted from any sum then or later owing by CMS or the State to the facility.
(d) Interest —
(1) Assessment. Interest is assessed on the unpaid balance of the penalty, beginning on the due date.
(2) Medicare interest. Medicare rate of interest is the higher of—
(i) The rate fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury after taking into consideration private consumer rates of interest prevailing on the date of the notice of the penalty amount due (published quarterly in the Federal Register by HHS under 45 CFR 30.13(a)); or
(ii) The current value of funds (published annually in the Federal Register by the Secretary of the Treasury, subject to quarterly revisions).
(3) Medicaid interest. The interest rate for Medicaid is determined by the State.
(e) Penalties collected by CMS. Civil money penalties and corresponding interest collected by CMS from—
(1) Medicare-participating facilities are deposited and disbursed in accordance with § 488.433; and
(2) Medicaid-participating facilities are returned to the State.
(f) Collection from dually participating facilities. Civil money penalties collected from dually participating facilities are deposited and disbursed in accordance with § 488.433 and returned to the State in proportion commensurate with the relative proportions of Medicare and Medicaid beds at the facility actually in use by residents covered by the respective programs on the date the civil money penalty begins to accrue.
(g) Penalties collected by the State. Civil money penalties collected by the State must be applied to the protection of the health or property of residents of facilities that the State or CMS finds noncompliant, such as—
(1) Payment for the cost of relocating residents to other facilities;
(2) State costs related to the operation of a facility pending correction of deficiencies or closure; and
(3) Reimbursement of residents for personal funds or property lost at a facility as a result of actions by the facility or by individuals used by the facility to provide services to residents.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 13361, Mar. 18, 1999; 76 FR 15128, Mar. 18, 2011]
(a) CMS has authority to settle cases at any time prior to a final administrative decision for Medicare-only SNFs, State-operated facilities, or other facilities for which CMS's enforcement action prevails, in accordance with § 488.330.
(b) The State has the authority to settle cases at any time prior to the evidentiary hearing decision for all cases in which the State's enforcement action prevails.
Any individual who is or was the administrator of a facility and fails or failed to comply with the requirements at § 483.70(l) of this chapter—
(a) Will be subject to a civil monetary penalty as follows:
(1) A minimum of $500 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 for the first offense.
(2) A minimum of $1,500 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 for the second offense.
(3) A minimum of $3,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102 for the third and subsequent offenses.
(b) May be subject to exclusion from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Act); and
(c) Will be subject to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law.
[76 FR 9511, Feb. 18, 2011, as amended at 81 FR 61563, Sept. 6, 2016; 81 FR 68872, Oct. 4, 2016]
(a) CMS may impose a civil money penalty for noncompliance with the requirements at § 483.80(g)(1) and (2) of this chapter as follows:
(1) Minimum. A minimum of $1,000 for the first occurrence.
(2) Increased amount. An amount equal to $500 added to the previously imposed civil money penalty amount for each subsequent occurrence, not to exceed the maximum amount set forth in § 488.408(d)(1)(iii).
(b) The penalty amounts in this section will be adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102.
(c) Compliance with the requirements at § 483.80(g)(1) and (2) of this chapter will be assessed weekly. Facilities found out of compliance with § 483.80(g)(1) and (2) of this chapter are not required to submit a plan of correction as indicated in § 488.408(f)(1).
(d) This section is in effect during and the Public Health Emergency (PHE), as defined in § 400.200 of this chapter, and will continue for up to one year after the end of the PHE.
[85 FR 54873, Sept. 2, 2020]
(a) Criteria.
(1) CMS may continue payments to a facility not in substantial compliance for the periods specified in paragraph (c) of this section if the following criteria are met:
(i) The State survey agency finds that it is more appropriate to impose alternative remedies than to terminate the facility;
(ii) The State has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action approved by CMS; and
(iii) The facility, in the case of a Medicare SNF, or the State, in the case of a Medicaid NF, agrees to repay the Federal government payments received under this provision if corrective action is not taken in accordance with the approved plan and timetable for corrective action.
(2) CMS or the State may terminate the SNF or NF agreement before the end of the correction period if the criteria in paragraph (a)(1) of this section are not met.
(b) Cessation of payments. If termination is not sought, either by itself or along with another remedy or remedies, or any of the criteria set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section are not met or agreed to by either the facility or the State, the facility or State will receive no Medicare or Federal Medicaid payments, as applicable, from the last day of the survey.
(c) Period of continued payments —
(1) Non-compliance. If the conditions in paragraph (a)(1) of this section are met, CMS may continue payments to a Medicare facility or the State for a Medicaid facility with noncompliance that does not constitute immediate jeopardy for up to 6 months from the last day of the survey.
(2) Facility closure. In the case of a facility closure, the Secretary may, as the Secretary determines appropriate, continue to make payments with respect to residents of a long-term care facility that has submitted a notification of closure during the period beginning on the date such notification is submitted to CMS and ending on the date on which the residents are successfully relocated.
(d) Failure to achieve substantial compliance. If the facility does not achieve substantial compliance by the end of the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section,
(1) CMS will—
(i) Terminate the provider agreement of the Medicare SNF in accordance with § 488.456; or
(ii) Discontinue Federal funding to the SNF for Medicare; and
(iii) Discontinue FFP to the State for the Medicaid NF.
(2) The State may terminate the provider agreement for the NF.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended at 76 FR 9511, Feb. 18, 2011; 78 FR 16805, Mar. 19, 2013]
The following rules apply when CMS and the State disagree over findings of noncompliance or application of remedies in a non-State operated NF or dually participating facility:
(a) Disagreement over whether facility has met requirements.
(1) The State's finding of noncompliance takes precedence when—
(i) CMS finds that a NF or a dually participating facility is in substantial compliance with the participation requirements; and
(ii) The State finds that a NF or dually participating facility has not achieved substantial compliance.
(2) CMS's findings of noncompliance take precedence when—
(i) CMS finds that a NF or a dually participating facility has not achieved substantial compliance; and
(ii) The State finds that a NF or a dually participating facility is in substantial compliance with the participation requirements.
(b) Disagreement over decision to terminate.
(1) CMS's decision to terminate the participation of a facility takes precedence when—
(i) Both CMS and the State find that the facility has not achieved substantial compliance; and
(ii) CMS, but not the State, finds that the facility's participation should be terminated. CMS will permit continuation of payment during the period prior to the effective date of termination not to exceed 6 months, if the applicable conditions of § 488.450 are met.
(2) The State's decision to terminate a facility's participation and the procedures for appealing such termination, as specified in § 431.153(c) of this chapter, takes precedence when—
(i) The State, but not CMS, finds that a NF's participation should be terminated; and
(ii) The State's effective date for the termination of the NF's provider agreement is no later than 6 months after the last day of survey.
(c) Disagreement over timing of termination of facility. The State's timing of termination takes precedence if it does not occur later than 6 months after the last day of the survey when both CMS and the State find that—
(1) A facility is not in substantial compliance; and
(2) The facility's participation should be terminated.
(d) Disagreement over remedies.
(1) When CMS or the State, but not both, establishes one or more remedies, in addition to or as an alternative to termination, the additional or alternative remedies will also apply when—
(i) Both CMS and the State find that a facility has not achieved substantial compliance; and
(ii) Both CMS and the State find that no immediate jeopardy exists.
(2) Overlap of remedies. When CMS and the State establish one or more remedies, in addition to or as an alternative to termination, only the CMS remedies apply when both CMS and the State find that a facility has not achieved substantial compliance.
(e) Regardless of whether CMS's or the State's decision controls, only one noncompliance and enforcement decision is applied to the Medicaid agreement, and for a dually participating facility, that same decision will apply to the Medicare agreement.
(a) Except as specified in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section, alternative remedies continue until—
(1) The facility has achieved substantial compliance, as determined by CMS or the State based upon a revisit or after an examination of credible written evidence that it can verify without an on-site visit; or
(2) CMS or the State terminates the provider agreement.
(b) In the cases of State monitoring and denial of payment imposed for repeated substandard quality of care, remedies continue until—
(1) CMS or the State determines that the facility has achieved substantial compliance and is capable of remaining in substantial compliance; or
(2) CMS or the State terminates the provider agreement.
(c) In the case of temporary management, the remedy continues until—
(1) CMS or the State determines that the facility has achieved substantial compliance and is capable of remaining in substantial compliance;
(2) CMS or the State terminates the provider agreement; or
(3) The facility which has not achieved substantial compliance reassumes management control. In this case, CMS or the State initiates termination of the provider agreement and may impose additional remedies.
(d) In the case of a civil money penalty imposed for an instance of noncompliance, the remedy is the specific amount of the civil money penalty imposed for the particular deficiency.
(e) If the facility can supply documentation acceptable to CMS or the State survey agency that it was in substantial compliance and was capable of remaining in substantial compliance, if necessary, on a date preceding that of the revisit, the remedies terminate on the date that CMS or the State can verify as the date that substantial compliance was achieved and the facility demonstrated that it could maintain substantial compliance, if necessary.
[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 60 FR 50119, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 13361, Mar. 18, 1999]
(a) Effect of termination. Termination of the provider agreement ends—
(1) Payment to the facility; and
(2) Any alternative remedy.
(b) Basis for termination.
(1) CMS and the State may terminate a facility's provider agreement if a facility—
(i) Is not in substantial compliance with the requirements of participation, regardless of whether or not immediate jeopardy is present; or
(ii) Fails to submit an acceptable plan of correction within the timeframe specified by CMS or the State.
(2) CMS and the State terminate a facility's provider agreement if a facility—
(i) Fails to relinquish control to the temporary manager, if that remedy is imposed by CMS or the State; or
(ii) Does not meet the eligibility criteria for continuation of payment as set forth in § 488.412(a)(1).
(c) Notice of termination. Before terminating a provider agreement, CMS does and the State must notify the facility and the public—
(1) At least 2 calendar days before the effective date of termination for a facility with immediate jeopardy deficiencies; and
(2) At least 15 calendar days before the effective date of termination for a facility with non-immediate jeopardy deficiencies that constitute noncompliance.
(d) Procedures for termination.
(1) CMS terminates the provider agreement in accordance with procedures set forth in § 489.53 of this chapter; and
(2) The State must terminate the provider agreement of a NF in accordance with procedures specified in parts 431 and 442 of this chapter.